A gas explosion at Good Shepherd Catering School in Ebonyi State has claimed the life of one student, Miss Mary Cynthia Ikelegu, while several others are fighting for their lives.
The incident occurred on Thursday morning when a student received a phone call in the kitchen while cooking with a gas cylinder, causing the cylinder to explode.
Emmanuel Nwizi, father of 17-year-old victim Chisom Nwizi, recounted the horrific events to journalists: “I spoke with my daughter around 6:30 am … I promised to bring her breakfast. Around 7:30 am, I got a call that the kitchen section of Good Shepherd Catering School was engulfed in fire.”
Rushing to the scene, Nwizi learned that the victims had been taken to the police clinic and later transferred to Alex Ekwueme Federal University Teaching Hospital (AE-FUTHA).
“I got to the hospital, and it was severe. Ten students were affected, with five still on life support machines. My daughter sustained severe burns, but I have hope she’ll survive,” Nwizi said.
Nwizi commended the school authorities for their prompt response: “The school authority is doing well; they haven’t asked any parent to bring a dime. They’re prioritizing saving lives first.”
Emmanuel Nwizi recounted some events saying,
“Students were discussing in groups, saying it was a mistake.
The school authority is doing well, they have been trying since the incident occurred. I commend the effort of the Reverend sisters managing the catering school. Yesterday, they stayed in the hospital till 12 midnight.”
The incident is currently under investigation.
