A severe early morning downpour caused trees to fall, resulting in four fatalities at a bustling market in Jattu, Etsako West local government area of Edo State yesterday.
Although some reports suggest the death toll may be as high as ten, Council Chairman Mr. Marvellous Zibiri confirmed four deaths while speaking to journalists at the market.
“At about 8:00 am and 9:00 am, I got a call from my Vice Chairman and the Supervisory Council for Environment about the incident that happened at the Jattu market.
“During the rainfall, four trees in the market fell simultaneously while people took cover under them, thereby killing four persons and injuring many.
“So far, we have been able to recover four bodies and have taken them to the mortuary while those who sustained injuries are at the hospital receiving treatment,” Zibiri said.
The Council Chairman confirmed that a rescue operation is still underway at the scene, where trees are being carefully sawed into pieces to check for any additional bodies.
Zibiri described the incident as tragic and offered his sympathies to the families of those who lost their lives in the market.
