President Nana Akufo-Addo has sent out condolences to the families of Ghanaian nationals who were killed by fire outbreak at a Bronx apartment in New York City last Thursday night.
Six Ghanaian nationals, including a soldier in the US Army, have been identified among the 12 people who lost their lives in the fire, which fire officials said was caused by a child playing with a stove.
They are 17-year-old Hannah Donkor, 28-year-old Emmanuel Mensah, 48-year-old Gabriel Yaw Sarkookie, 49-year-old Solomon Donkor, 54-year-old Justice Opoku, and William Donkor whose age is yet to be given by officials.
The soldier, Emmanuel Mensah, who was on holidays for the first time a year after enlisting in the Army, was rescuing people from the apartment when he lost his life.
“He’s a kind person and he was trying to help people out,” said Kwabena Mensah, the victim’s father told the New York Post. “And I think that’s what he was trying to do, and unfortunately he lost his life trying to do that,” he added.
President Akufo-Addo tweeted Sunday to commiserate with the families of those who lost their lives in the incident, stating the government through its mission in Washington was going to the aid of the families
“My deepest condolences to the families of the Ghanaian nationals, who tragically lost their lives in Saturday’s Bronx apartment fire disaster in New York. Gov’t, through our Mission in Washington, is coming to the aid of the affected families. May their souls rest in peace!!,” he tweeted.
My deepest condolences to the families of the Ghanaian nationals, who tragically lost their lives in Saturday’s Bronx apartment fire disaster in New York. Gov’t, through our Mission in Washington, is coming to the aid of the affected families. May their souls rest in peace!!
— Nana Akufo-Addo (@NAkufoAddo) December 31, 2017
Meanwhile, the Mayor of New York City, Bill de Blasio, has eulogised the Emmanuel who had just finished basic training in Georgia and was scheduled to move to Virginia.
“Private Emmanuel Mensah was a first generation immigrant, a soldier, and a New Yorker. He gave his life rescuing his neighbors in the Bronx fire. His heroism exemplifies the best of our city. Rest in peace,” Bill de Blasio said in a tweet on Saturday.
By 3news.com|Ghana