Downpour: Four killed by falling tree in Edo

Benin, July 8, 2024 – Four people lost their lives yesterday morning when falling trees struck the Jattu market in Etsako West Local Government Area of Edo State following a heavy downpour.

The Chairman of the Local Government Council, Mr. Marvellous Zibiri, confirmed the fatalities while addressing newsmen at the market.

“Around 8:00 am and 9:00 am, I received a call from my Vice Chairman and the Supervisory Council for Environment regarding the incident at the Jattu market,” Zibiri recounted.

“During the rainfall, four trees in the market fell simultaneously while people sought shelter underneath them, resulting in the death of four individuals and multiple injuries,” he explained.

Zibiri added, “So far, we have recovered the bodies of four persons and taken them to the mortuary, while those who sustained injuries are in the hospital receiving treatment.”

He noted that rescue operations were still ongoing at the scene, with efforts to cut down the fallen trees in pieces to ensure no other bodies were trapped beneath them.

Describing the incident as a tragedy, Zibiri expressed his condolences to the families of the deceased and appealed to residents of the local government to remain indoors during heavy rains.