By Eseohe Solomon
In a devastating turn of events, Jattu Market in Etsako West Local Government Area of Edo State, South South Nigeria, has become the site of a fatal incident. Scores of lives were lost when four large trees toppled during a thunderstorm on Monday morning, following a heavy downpour.
The chairman of Etsako West Local Government Area, Marvellous Zibiri, confirmed the tragic occurrence to reporters at the scene. He recounted receiving a distressing call from his vice chairman and the Supervisory Councillor for Environment, notifying him of the incident.
Zibiri detailed the sequence of events: “Between 8 am and 9 am on Monday, four trees in Jattu Market collapsed simultaneously as people sought shelter beneath them during the rainfall.” Regrettably, the falling trees claimed the lives of four individuals, with several others sustaining injuries.
“As of now, we have recovered four bodies, which have been transferred to the mortuary,” Zibiri solemnly stated. He further informed that those injured were promptly taken to nearby hospitals for medical attention.
An ongoing rescue operation is underway at the market site, with efforts focused on clearing the debris and ensuring there are no additional casualties trapped beneath the fallen trees.
Expressing profound grief over the incident, Chairman Zibiri described it as a “tragedy” and extended heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families. He also appealed to residents across the local government area to exercise caution during adverse weather conditions, urging them to remain indoors whenever it rains.
The community remains in shock following this unforeseen disaster, with local authorities emphasizing the importance of safety awareness and vigilance in such circumstances.
