An MPLA militant who tried to run for party leader in 2022, António Venancio, announced this Wednesday that he had lost several members of his family in a fire in Luanda.
“Hours after I just mentioned that human life is the most valuable asset of the country, I was surprised by the tragic news, the most tragic in my family: eight members of my family have just died in a fire. “Venanciu announced.
The civil engineer unsuccessfully tried to compete with Joao Lourenço for the presidency of the Popular Movement for the Liberation of Angola (MPLA), in power since 1975 and winning again in 2022.
“Parents, children, my nephews and grandchildren have just died right now. Whole family!” he wrote on his Facebook page.
Civil Protection and Fire Service spokesman Faustino Migens, contacted by Lusa, confirmed the fire, which killed six people aged between 1 and 40.
Firefighters received the alarm at 02:50 local time, the official said, and when they arrived at the scene, in Rangel, Luanda, the fire had already been put out by people.
“We only dealt with the consequences. We learned that six members of the same family, aged between 1 and 40, were brought alive to the Américo Boavida hospital,” said Faustino Migunes.
The deaths were due to inhalation of poisonous substances “due to the concentration of fumes,” he added, pointing out that firefighters arrived at the scene about 15 minutes after receiving the alarm.