11 die as sacred tree crashes on vehicles in Enugu community
Eleven people died in Awhum community in Udi Local Government Area of Enugu State after a venerated tree fell incident on a vehicle. The state Police Command said the incident
Eleven people died in Awhum community in Udi Local Government Area of Enugu State after a venerated tree fell incident on a vehicle.
The state Police Command said the incident occurred about 8:45pm on Tuesday, at the market square of the community.
Police said a big tree collapsed onto two commercial vehicles — a Toyota Hiace bus and a Sienna minivan — killing the passengers and trapping several others in the wreckage.
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According to the police, the vehicles had departed from Old Park in Enugu and were heading to villages within the Awhum/Okpatu. The drivers stopped to drop off passengers moments before the disaster struck.
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Authorities said heavy rainfall, strong winds and internal decay had weakened the tree before it gave way.
Emergency responders from the Ninth Mile Division, working alongside residents, managed to rescue four survivors trapped in the crushed vehicles.
However, doctors at the hospital they were rushed to confirmed the victims dead. Their remains have been deposited at the mortuary.
In a condolence message, the Commissioner of Police described the incident as heartbreaking and urged communities and beyond to inspect and maintain old or large trees, especially around public spaces.
A source told our correspondent that the residents had warned about the danger posed by the tree.
