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A gas explosion at the SDP axis of Orokeonuoha in Ebonyi Local Government Area, Ebonyi State, has claimed the life of one of the victims, Miss Mary Cynthia Ikelegu, a student of Good Shepherd Catering School.
She passed away on Saturday evening at the Accident and Emergency Unit of Alex Ekwueme Federal University Teaching Hospital, Abakaliki (AE-FUTHA).
The tragic incident occurred in the kitchen of the catering school, run by the Catholic Church, where 10 students were severely burned. The explosion reportedly happened after one of the students answered a phone call while cooking with a gas cylinder, triggering a blast that sent the students scrambling for safety.
The explosion left all 10 students with severe burns, with some reportedly burned beyond recognition. Initially, they were rushed to the Police Clinic at the state police headquarters for immediate medical attention before being transferred to AE-FUTHA for specialized care.
Miss Ikelegu was among five of the victims who had been on life support since the incident on Thursday. Sadly, her condition worsened, leading to her death. Meanwhile, the other victims remain in critical condition, with their families clinging to hope for their recovery.
One of the affected students, 17-year-old Chisom Nwizi, daughter of Emmanuel Nwizi, a staff member at the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA) in Abakaliki, is among those still battling for survival. Despite her severe burns, her father expressed hope for her recovery, praising the efforts of the school and medical personnel.
Speaking to journalists at the hospital, Mr. Nwizi recounted the terrifying moment he learned about the explosion. “I spoke to my daughter around 6:30 a.m., promising to bring her breakfast. By 7:30 a.m., I received a call that the kitchen of Good Shepherd Catering School was engulfed in flames. I rushed to the scene immediately because my daughter was one of the students there,” he said.
He explained that the explosion was reportedly caused by a student answering a phone call in the kitchen while cooking with gas. “If one of the students hadn’t entered the kitchen with her phone, this tragedy could have been avoided,” a student reportedly told him.
Mr. Nwizi commended the school’s efforts in handling the situation, stating that the management, led by the Reverend Sisters, has been proactive and has not yet requested financial assistance from the affected families. “The school has been very supportive. The Reverend Sisters have stayed with us at the hospital, and they are focused on saving lives before discussing any financial matters,” he added.
While the hospital continues to fight for the lives of the remaining victims, the community mourns the loss of Mary Cynthia Ikelegu, whose death has deepened the tragedy of an already devastating event.
