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.
Culled from Saturday
PUNCH
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