In Enugu State, Nigeria, a severe accident occurred when a massive tree fell on two commercial vehicles, resulting in the death of 11 passengers. The incident transpired around 8:45 pm at the Awhum Village Market Square, where a Toyota Hiace bus and a Sienna minivan were involved. Eyewitness reports and police statements indicate that the vehicles had halted to drop off passengers who were coming from Old Park, Enugu, heading towards various villages in the Awhum/Okpatu area when the incident took place.

The police confirmed that the tree collapse was likely caused by a combination of heavy rainfall, strong winds, and possibly internal decay of the tree itself. The traffic police officer, Daniel Ndukwe, outlined that preliminary findings revealed the vehicles were stationary when the tree crashed upon them. Emergency operatives from the 9th Mile Division promptly responded to the scene, illustrating the urgency and severity of the situation that led to multiple fatalities.

This incident not only highlights the dangers posed by natural elements in urban and semi-urban locations but also raises questions regarding public safety and infrastructure. Local authorities will likely conduct further investigations to determine the precise causes of the tree's collapse and to assess whether preventative measures may be needed to avoid similar tragedies in the future, especially given the adverse weather conditions affecting many regions in Nigeria lately.