One of the trees fell into the popular Jattu Market, located in Etsako West local government area of Edo State.

By Jethro Ibileke

Four yet-to-be-identified traders were on Monday killed and scores of others injured when three trees fell into the popular Jattu Market, located in Etsako West local government area of Edo State.

The market is the largest in Edo North and is attended by traders from all parts of Edo and the neighboring states.

It was gathered that the incident occurred between 8 am and 8:30, while the early morning torrential rainfall.

Some of the traders who defied the heavy rainfall were just displaying their wares while others took shelter under some makeshift shops and the over 100-year-old trees when they fell on them.

An eyewitness who spoke on the phone to journalists in Benin relayed that the heavy breeze that accompanied the rain uprooted the trees simultaneously killing four persons at the spot and injuring scores of others.

According to him, “Four persons who died in the incident have been taken to the mortuary under the supervision of the council chairman. Many others who sustained injuries have also been taken to the hospital for treatment.”

The Chairman of Etsako West Local Government Council, Mr. Marvellous Zibiri, who also confirmed the death of four people by phone, described the incident as tragic.

He noted that the casualties would have been much if not for the rain that prevented more traders and other persons from coming to the market very early.

“Four persons died and have been taken to the mortuary while those who sustained injuries have also been taken to the hospital for treatment,” he said.

“The rain started very early in the morning, so many people didn’t come to the market before the incident. These are over 100 years old trees but the wind uprooted these trees simultaneously,” he said.

Zibiri who sympathized with the bereaved families and others who sustained injuries, promised that the Council would repair the destroyed structures and cut down all trees in the market.

He, however, advised people not to stay under the trees but to stay indoors during rainfall.