Kerosene explosion kills13-yr-old girl, injures 2 others

ABAKALIKI—A young lady, identified as Miss
Ifeoma Nwofe, was yesterday reported to have
lost her life following a kerosene explosion at
her parent's Azuiyiokwu, Abakaliki, Ebonyi
State, residence.
Vanguard gathered that the victim, who
suffered severe burns all over her body, could
not receive treatment at the Federal Teaching
Hospital, Abakaliki, where she was rushed to
because of the ongoing doctors' strike.
She later died at a private hospital due to lack
of prompt medical attention.
Other victims and siblings of the deceased,
who are still in a critical condition, include
Linda 8, and Chiemerie, 10.
According to report, the explosion occurred as
Ifeoma was trying to light the family's lantern
after electric power cut.
This development has raised suspicion that the
kerosene might have been adulterated.
Narrating his ordeal, father of the victims, Mr.
Simeon Nwofe, said that Ifeoma returned home
to observe her school's midterm break.
"After hugging her younger ones, she decided
to put on the lantern in the house and then
the incident occurred," he said, adding that
her remains have been taken to their
hometown for burial.
The Special Adviser to Ebonyi State Governor
on Petroleum Products, Pricing and
Distribution, Mr. Chief Ejem, promised to get
to the root of the matter.
He said: "We will conduct a thorough
investigation into the incident and prosecute
those culpable.
"The government has been doing its best to rid
the state of fake petroleum products, but have
been thwarted by unscrupulous elements who
deal on such products."