Mass burial for gas explosion victims A mass funeral will be held this weekend for the family members who died in the tragic gas explosion on a farm near Dordabis that claimed ten lives and injured five others. The explosion which occurred on 14 October at Farm /Garib about 20 to 25km from Dordabis, claimed the lives of nine children and one adult and injured five more while they were watching television at a family house on the farm.
The incident occurred when a gas cylinder inside the house exploded and burnt down the house. It is suspected that gas may have been leaking and caught fire from one that was made outside the house.
Announcing the funeral arrangements, Khomas Governor Laura McLeod a memorial service will be held at the farm on Friday, while the mass burial will take place on Saturday at the local cemetery. A prayer service will also be held tomorrow at 19:00 at the family residence in Soweto, Katutura at Erf 2977 Dekapolis Street. The owner of the house where the explosion took place, Henry Kock said on the fatal night, he was outside the house busy watering the garden when he heard people inside the house screaming that something had exploded. He said he ran inside the house and grabbed the old gas cylinder, stormed outside the house and threw it away.
He apparently threw the gas cylinder unknowingly onto a coal fire. He was on his way to the house when the cylinder exploded and flames followed him into the house.
According to him, he grabbed blankets to cover the children, but they had already been covered in gas.
Meanwhile, McLeod said that the Khomas Regional Council has pledged N$10 000 in support of the family as well as other logistical support, while the Ministry of Gender Equality and Child Welfare approached the Social Security Commission which has pledged to cover the cost of the coffins for the ten family members for burial.
The ministry also set up a team of social workers to assist with counselling.
According to her, the Office of the First Lady, the education ministry as well as the Office of the Prime Minister and other private institutions also indicated that they are willing to support the family. A Nampost Trust Account has been established for the family and donations have been received from several individuals and institutions. Details of the trust account at Nampost Savings Bank are as follows: Witbeen Family Funds- smartcard account number: 34374333. According to McLeod, a couple that is still in the intensive care unit has not yet been informed about the loss of their four children because they are not yet stable enough to receive the devastating news. She further expressed her condolences with the family for their loss. “Your suffering is beyond imagination and we realise the trauma that this incident has caused your family. We hope and pray that the family members remaining in hospital will recover soon and be discharged,” she said.
ELLANIE SMIT