A tragic incident occurred in Enugu State, Nigeria, where a massive tree fell on two commercial vehicles at the Awhum Village Market Square, resulting in the death of 11 individuals. The collision involved a Toyota Hiace bus and a Sienna minivan, which had paused to drop off passengers at the market square. Witnesses reported that the accident took place around 8:45 pm on Tuesday, highlighting the immediate dangers posed by heavy rainfall and strong winds in the area.

The Enugu State Police Public Relations Officer, SP Daniel Ndukwe, confirmed the incident and provided preliminary findings indicating that the tree had succumbed to conditions of severe weather and decay. Passengers from Old Park, Enugu, were using the vehicles to travel to various villages within the Awhum/Okpatu area when the tree unexpectedly collapsed, tragically claiming the lives of those on board as the vehicles were stationary.

This incident raises significant concerns regarding public safety and infrastructure maintenance in the region, especially amidst adverse weather conditions. As local authorities respond to the disaster, the incident will likely prompt discussions about the need for regular tree inspections and the management of public spaces, particularly in areas prone to severe weather hazards, to prevent similar tragedies in the future.