18 killed as giant tree falls, crushes bus in Enugu

Tragedy struck on Tuesday in the Awhum community of Udi Local Government Area when a massive ancestral tree, locally called “Ukwu Akpu Awhum,” toppled onto a commercial bus, killing at least 18 passengers.

Reports indicate the 18-seater minibus, traveling from Ukehe in Igbo-Etiti Local Government Area to Enugu metropolis, was fully loaded when the incident occurred during heavy thunderstorm and rainfall.

Residents rushed to the scene, but all passengers were reportedly killed on impact.

> “Some people started tying red and white cloths around the trunk, seeking spiritual powers,” said Charly Okeke, a community member. “I suspect this may have caused the tragedy.”

He noted that although branches from the ancient tree had fallen in the past, nothing of this magnitude had occurred before.

The community has been plunged into mourning as families and neighbors come to terms with the devastating loss. Many residents are urging caution around sacred and ancestral sites, especially amid recent torrential rains.

Officials from state emergency agencies and local authorities are expected to visit the scene to assess safety conditions and provide support to bereaved families. As of filing, the Enugu State Government has yet to issue an official statement.