Francisco, 13 years old, the only survivor of an explosion that killed the boy’s parents and sister in Vila Nova de Milfontes, Alentejo, last June, spoke publicly for the first time about the accident to a Canadian TikToker who is dedicated to helping those in need.
In the video shared by Zachery Dereniowski, known as MD Motivator on TikTok, Francisco, who now uses a walker and whose burns left severe scars on his arms, stomach, and legs, recalls the moment of the explosion.
“My father went to take a shower, he went to the shower and [the house] exploded. I woke up with the bang,” he remembered.
The influencer then asks him what kind of sport he likes, to which the boy responds that he likes football, Cristiano Ronaldo, and that he’s a Benfica fan.
Finally, Francisco admits emotionally, “I wish I had spent more time” with his parents and sister, “to see them one more time,” so he leaves a message to the world: “Spend time with those you love, doing what you love to do, because it can disappear forever.”
At the end of the video, which has already been viewed by more than 1.6 million people, Zachery offers Francisco, who now lives with his aunt and uncle, a football, tickets to see Benfica when he “recovers,” a thousand euros, and also announces the creation of an online fundraiser to help pay for the boy’s treatment expenses.
In just one day, more than 90,000 dollars have been raised, approximately 81,900 euros, which will serve not only to help the boy with medical expenses but also for his “future.”
The explosion that killed Francisco’s parents and 9-year-old sister occurred on June 26 in Brunheiras, Vila Nova de Milfontes, and was caused by a butane gas leak. The mother and sister died at the scene. The father was transported to the hospital but also did not survive due to severe injuries.
