An ancient tree (believed by some to be a tree of the gods) fell on Thursday May 16th, killing over 50 people at Umudagu Mbieri,
Mbaitoli in Imo State. The
Osisi Ukwu Uko, which has been in
existence for over 200 years, fell during heavy rainstorm around 8pm
Thursday night, collapsing on buildings, people selling their wares and
customers buying good in a market under the tree. Those who didn't die
lost body parts and are being treated at the hospital.
People in the community had for many years called for the removal of the
tree over safety concerns but the community elders refused to chop the
tree down arguing that it was an ancestral landmark.
Some people in the village are speculating that the gods occupying the
tree were angry with the villages over something and decided to strike. Oh! See more photos after the cut...