Jattu Market in Etsako West Local Government Area of Edo State, as four people were confirmed dead after trees fell on them following heavy rainfall on Monday morning, July 8, 2024.

Many others, including traders and shoppers, sustained various degrees of injuries in the incident. The local community was thrown into mourning as they grappled with the sudden loss and injuries inflicted on their loved ones.

Marvellous Zibiri, the chairman of the Local Government, confirmed the tragic event while speaking to journalists at the market. He shared details about how he learned of the incident and the immediate response efforts that were put in place.

Zibiri said,

“Between 8 am and 9 am on Monday, I got a call from my vice chairman and the Supervisory Councillor for Environment about the incident that happened at Jattu Market,”

“During the rainfall, four trees in the market fell at the same time while people took cover under the trees, thereby killing four persons and injuring many others. So far, we have been able to recover four bodies, and we have taken them to the mortuary while those who sustained injuries are at the hospital responding to treatment.”

The market, usually bustling with activity, turned into a scene of chaos and grief as emergency services and local residents worked together to rescue the injured and clear the debris. Eyewitnesses recounted the terrifying moments when the trees came crashing down, and the frantic efforts to help those trapped.

Rescue operations continued throughout the day as authorities and volunteers cut the fallen trees into pieces to check for any additional bodies that might be trapped underneath. The community’s response was swift, showcasing a strong sense of solidarity in the face of disaster.

Zibiri described the incident as a significant tragedy and expressed his heartfelt sympathies to the families of the victims. He appealed to the residents of the local government to exercise caution and stay indoors during heavy rain to prevent such unfortunate incidents from recurring.

The local government has promised to investigate the cause of the tree falls and take necessary measures to ensure the safety of the market area, including the potential removal of other trees that may pose a risk in the future.