Tree kills 31 and injures 16 in Imo

Thirty one persons were killed when a tree at the Ukwu Uko evening market at Umuejinwaoke Umudagu village, Mbieri, Mbaitolu Local Government Area, Imo, fell on them.

16 others sustained degrees of injuries during the incident, which was caused by rainstorm on Thursday night.

A resident of the community, Mr Nnaemeka Emenyonu, said in Owerri that the tree fell on the affected persons around 8:00 p.m.

He said the tree also destroyed the village hall.

“The big tree fell suddenly on 31 people, who died at the spot and injured 16 others. Those injured were taken to hospital.

“The victims include two sisters, who sell tomatoes. Honestly, this is a 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, Mrs Joy Elemoko, declined comment on the incident after several efforts to get the command’s reaction to the issue.






Africanspotlight

Imo Gov Offers To Assist Families Of ‘Fallen Tree’ Victims




GOVERNOR Rochas Okorocha of Imo State has directed the Mayor of Owerri, Dr. Kachi Nwoga, to compile list and necessary information on the 50 victims of the fallen tree believed to have existed for 300 years before it fell on Thursday.

Okorocha, who gave the directive during his visit to the scene in the outskirts of Owerri metropolis, disclosed that financial and material assistance would be given to relatives of the deceased.

The governor, who was shocked by the level of devastation caused by the calamity, urged other communities in areas where similar trees are to cut them, regretting that information he gathered indicated that several demands and warning had been made by persons in the area to cut the tree.

He commended efforts of his deputy, Prince Eze Madumere, Nwoga, security agencies and rescue team for their quick intervention.

 The stem of the tree known as Uko had decayed for long time, which was a reason the storm easily uprooted it.

When the incident happened, market men and women still trading. They were mostly affected. The tree buried many while a woman had lower part of her leg cut off. The woman is said to be in the hospital recuperating as at press time.

Guardian