Cries and anguish filled Umudagu, Mbieri community in Mbaitoli council area of Imo State, on Thursday night, as no fewer than 31 persons have been confirmed dead following the fall of an ancestral ‘Uko’ tree estimated to have been over 200 years in existence.
The tree which fell around 8pm, Thursday night, during a rainstorm also left scores of persons injured and about 7 others either buried in the rubble or missing.
The size of the disaster was occasioned by the fact that under the tree is a location of a popular night market described as “Ukwu Uko market” meaning the market under the ‘Uko’ tree.
The market usually started at about 3pm everyday and terminated at about 9.30pm or 10pm.
The tree, had been a source of concern to the youths of the village who had repeatedly called for its removal to no avail. Elders of the community had described the tree as an ancestral landmark that should not be removed.
Quite painful. May their souls rest in peace.
Sad story. May the souls of the dead RIP.
ReplyDeleteSomeones idol don crash.next they will say its a bad omen,that tree shd have been cut down 100years ago rather than getting people killed!tragic.RIP
ReplyDeleteA tragedy that could have been prevented,pathetic and sad.smh.may they RIP.
ReplyDelete