Thirty-one persons, including two
sisters, were killed when a tree at the Ukwu Uko evening market at
Umuejinwaoke Umudagu village, Mbieri, Mbaitolu Local Government Area of
Imo State, fell on them.
The News Agency of Nigeria
reports that 16 other victims sustained varying degrees of injury during
the incident, which was caused by a rainstorm on Thursday night.
A resident of the community, Mr. Nnaemeka Emenyonu, told NAN in Owerri that the tree fell on the affected persons about 8:00 pm.
He said the tree also destroyed the village hall.
“The big tree fell suddenly, killing 31 people on the spot and injuring 16 others. Those injured were taken to the hospital.
“The victims include two sisters, who
were selling tomatoes. Honestly, this is the saddest event in the
history of our community,” he said.
The traditional ruler of the community,
Eze Godwin Duru, lamented that such a tragic incident had never occurred
in the community.
“I do not know what to say. God, what
can we call this? My people were destroyed within a twinkle of an eye,
what a pity,” he said.
The Police Public Relations Officer in
the state, Mrs. Joy Elemoko, declined comment on the incident after
several efforts to get the command’s reaction to the issue.
Source: Punch
