Tree collapses on two vehicles, kills 11 passengers in Enugu [PHOTO]

The Enugu State Police command has confirmed the death of 11 passengers following a tragic tree-fall incident in Awhum Community, Udi Local Government Area of Enugu State.

In a statement on Wednesday by SP Daniel Ndukwe, the command’s spokesperson, the police said the incident occurred on February 17, 2026, at about 8:45 p.m. at Awhum Village/Market Square.

According to the statement, a large tree collapsed onto two vehicles, a Toyota Hiace bus and a Sienna minivan, killing eleven occupants.

The police disclosed that the victims were rushed to the hospital but were later confirmed dead by attending doctors. Their remains have since been deposited in the mortuary.

The statement read in part, “Preliminary findings indicate that the vehicles had stopped to drop off passengers when the tree, weakened by heavy rainfall, strong winds, and apparent internal decay, collapsed on them.

“Upon receiving the report, operatives attached to 9th Mile Division swiftly responded and, with the assistance of community members, rescued four persons trapped in the vehicles and secured the scene.

“Regrettably, the eleven other victims were rushed to the hospital but were later confirmed dead by attending doctors. Their remains have been deposited in the mortuary for further necessary procedures.”

Earlier, SaharaReporters reported that the devastating incident occurred along the Ukwu Akpu Awhum axis during a torrential downpour on Tuesday night.

Eyewitnesses described a chaotic scene as the tree crashed onto the vehicles, leaving passengers trapped in the wreckage.

“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 told SaharaReporters on Tuesday.

Another witness said, “The bus was completely crushed. People were trapped inside and screaming for help. It was a terrible sight.”

Community volunteers and local vigilante groups were reportedly the first responders, battling heavy rain and slippery roads to rescue survivors and evacuate the injured to nearby hospitals.

The incident has plunged the Awhum community into mourning, with renewed calls for proactive environmental safety measures to forestall further loss of lives.