A violent rainstorm on Tuesday night turned deadly along the Ukwu Akpu Awhum axis of Enugu State when a large tree, uprooted by heavy rainfall and strong winds, crashed onto a moving commercial bus, killing several passengers.
According to residents who spoke to SaharaReporters, the incident happened during a torrential downpour that swept through the area. The force of the wind brought down the massive tree, which fell directly across the highway and onto an 18-seater bus said to be travelling towards 9th Mile.
Eyewitnesses said the impact forced the driver to lose control, causing the vehicle to overturn. The bus was left severely damaged, with many passengers trapped inside.
“The rain was very heavy and the wind was strong. Suddenly we heard a loud crash. When we rushed out, we saw that a big tree had fallen on a bus,” a resident recounted.
Another witness described the aftermath as chaotic and distressing. “The bus was completely crushed. People were trapped inside and screaming for help. It was a terrible sight,” he said.
Community sources indicated that the crash involved a fully loaded 18-seater bus and a car, raising fears that several lives were lost.
“Ukwu Akpu Awhum has fallen tonight and claimed the lives of passengers in an 18-seater bus and a car. If you know anyone travelling this route, please check on them,” a community member said in a message circulated shortly after the incident.
Emergency responders, including local vigilante groups and community volunteers, were reportedly first on the scene. Despite the heavy rain, slippery roads and low visibility, they worked to rescue survivors and evacuate the injured.
“They tried their best in the rain. Some of the injured were rushed to hospitals immediately,” another resident said.
Preliminary reports suggest that the intense winds that accompanied the downpour may have caused the tree to topple onto the busy roadway.
The tragedy has left the Awhum community in mourning, with residents urging authorities to assess vulnerable roadside trees and strengthen emergency response systems to prevent similar occurrences in the future.