The news of the tragic death of Pastor Diya and two of his children have continued to reverberate within the United Kingdom.
The family members were reported to have drowned in the swimming pool of a hotel in Spain. The hotel authorities have said inquiries had found no issues with the pool, and the deaths were believed to be a “tragic accident”.
Pastor Gabriel Diya, 52, his daughter Comfort Diya, 9, and his son Praise-Emmanuel Diya, 16, died in the pool at Club La Costa World, near Fuengirola in Spain on Christmas eve.
Police said that they are checking claims the young girl got into difficulties and the other two died trying to save her.
While the local police are still investigating the circumstances leading to the death,the hotel has since re – opened the swimming pool, which was quickly, denied.
Many community leaders, church members, close associates and neighbours of Pastor Diya are disgusted with the insensitive way the operator CLC World Resorts has handled their tragic death.
Pastor Gabriel Diya, a Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG) Pastor at the Open Heavens Group based in Charlton, South East London had been going on holidays to this same resort in Spain for the past 20years without any incident.
The Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG) said, “With heavy hearts, we extend our condolences to the family, parish, friends and associates of area pastor Gabriel Diya who sadly passed away, along with two of his children… in a tragic incident while on a family holiday in Spain.
“At this very difficult time, our prayers are for Pastor Gabriel Diya’s family, the parishes that were under his supervision, friends, associates, members of RCCG and the general public.”
Leaders from the British Nigerian community in the UK are calling on the general public not to relent in calling on the relevant authorities to do the right thing by investigating the matter to the fullest, respect the grieving family, the departed souls and not reopen the pool so soon.
A call has gone out to all concerned individuals to raise a petition to get justice for the Diya family. Below is a sample of the email to memberservices@clcworld.com in circulation
Good day, I am shocked to learn that the pool in which 3 people died on Christmas Eve has been re-opened so soon.
Such an action is grossly insensitive and shows no regard whatsoever for the deceased and their family members.
Clearly a thorough investigation is required given the newspaper reports that:
a) The girl’s swimming cap was found in the pump;
b) The worker who managed to retrieve the bodies reported difficulties in getting out of the pool, describing the effect as being “like swimming in a wild river”
This apparent disregard for life will cause many of your members to reconsider their membership going forward. Like millions others, I certainly will think twice about ever booking a holiday with you again.
It is important that you do the right thing and close the pool until a thorough investigation is concluded.
The email response from CLC World Resorts to one of the petitioners, Funlola Shen reads as follow, “Club La Costa World, of course, has been co-operating fully with police investigations from the moment of the incident and has acted in full compliance with all their requests.
Following their enquiries, police have advised us that their investigations have revealed no malfunctions.
However, despite this, our staff remain positioned at the pool with instructions to advise guests to use one of the 20 other pools within the complex.
This is being done because it seems inappropriate in the light of such a recent and shocking tragedy to use the pool for recreation. For this reason we will be advising guests that it will remain out of use until further notice.
Meanwhile all our thoughts are with the victims and their family and we continue to offer them all support and assistance. Yours sincerely, Member Services Team, Club Operations.”
TheForeign & Commonwealth Office (FCO) is supporting the surviving wife of Pastor Diya and helping with arrangement to fly the bodies back to the UK.
Pastor Gabriel Diya who was known to be humble and very friendly survived by his wife Pastor (Mrs) Olubunmi Diya and another daughter.
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