Altar Boys President, Wife and their Six Children, Others Traveling for Burial Perish in Enugu Petrol Tanker Fire

By Praise Chinecherem

Eleven family members, including the President of the Altar Boys Association at SS John and Paul Parish, Iba Pope, Onitsha were last Saturday burnt to death in a petrol tanker explosion at Ugwu Onyeama in Enugu State.

Jeremiah Nwaji, a devout Catholic and leader of the Altar Boys Association, was among the victims of the tragic incident.

He was accompanied by his wife, six children, younger brother, maid, and apprentice, all of whom lost their lives in the blaze.

The family was en route to Ebonyi State to attend the burial of their father, scheduled to hold on January 31.

The journey, meant to be a solemn and respectful tribute to their departed father, turned into an unimaginable tragedy.

Eyewitnesses described the scene as chaotic, with the petrol tanker exploding into a massive fireball that engulfed several vehicles, including the one carrying the Nwaji family.

The incident has sent shockwaves through the community, with friends, family, and parishioners mourning the loss of a devoted family and a respected leader.

The incident serves as a stark reminder of the dangers posed by petrol tanker explosions and the need for increased safety measures to prevent such tragedies.

An investigation into the cause of the explosion is ongoing.