Today an unfortunate incident occurred at the Jattu market in Etsako West local government area of Edo State, resulting in the deaths of four people and leaving several others injured. The tragedy was caused by the collapse of four trees during a heavy downpour in the early hours of the morning.
According to the Chairman of the council, Mr. Marvellous Zibiri, the trees fell simultaneously, killing four people who had sought shelter under them. The chairman confirmed the recovery of four bodies, which have been taken to the mortuary, while the injured are receiving treatment at the hospital.
A rescue operation is still ongoing at the scene, with efforts focused on sawing down the fallen trees to determine if there are any additional bodies trapped underneath. Zibiri described the incident as tragic and offered his sympathies to the families of the victims.
While some reports suggest that the death toll may be higher, with estimates of up to ten fatalities, the council chairman has only confirmed four deaths. The incident serves as a reminder of the importance of ensuring public safety, particularly in areas prone to heavy rainfall and falling trees.