TRAGEDY: Tree falls by roadside, kills two, injures 10 in Ilorin Today

A large tree collapsed unexpectedly today, killing two people and injuring ten more in the Sango neighbourhood of Ilorin, Ilorin East Local Government Area, Kwara State.

According to The PUNCH, the incident took place at around 8 a.m. local time in the Sango neighbourhood, beside the roadside at Baystar Petrol Station, directly across from the Oke Adini intersection of the town.

It was also learned that the occurrence caused widespread chaos because one of the victims (a woman) apparently died at the scene and the rest were transported to a nearby private hospital by well-wishers.

Evidence at the scene indicated that one of two trees that had been standing next to one other had collapsed.

Malam Abdulrasheed, a vulcanizer, and several local business owners who had yet to open their stores at the time of the blast were spared.

“The deceased persons and the injured persons were waiting by the roadside beside Baystar petrol station Sango area, opposite Oke-Adini junction, Ilorin to board commercial vehicles to their various destinations when the tree suddenly fell on them,” a source who asked not to be named said.

Ten people were taken to a private hospital for initial care, while those with more severe injuries were taken to the state hospital and the University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital.

SP Okasanmi Ajayi, the state’s police department’s public information officer, has confirmed the attack.

Okasanmi said in a statement, “A branch fell off a tree at Sango area this morning, seven persons were affected and were rushed to the hospital, two ultimately died, and others are still undergoing treatment.”

“We are still looking into the matter. The PPRO promised that once the inquiry was complete, the results will be made public.

Saw millers were hired to remove the downed tree and any others that could have been in the way, and precautions were taken quickly to protect the safety of anyone in the neighbourhood.

The Kwara State Government expressed its condolences in a message by saying that it has ordered the victims of the disaster to be sent to the state general hospital.

“The tragic and fatal incident followed the unprovoked falling of a large branch of a tree on pedestrians, shop owners, and commuters waiting for the next available vehicle,” said a statement signed by the Press Secretary of the Ministry, Gbenga Falade and issued by Commissioner of Health Dr. Mariam El-Imam.

“In a swift response to distress calls from the Oke-Andi (Oke-Adini) community, a team of experts was deployed from the state Ministry of Health to provide emergency care to the victims following the unfortunate falling of a major tree branch on unsuspecting members of the community using the base of the tree as stalls and commuters awaiting the next bus.

Part of the statement reads as follows: “The team of experts led by the Deputy Director of Medical Services, Dr Stephen Arigidi, was warmly received at the site of the incident by the duo of the Commissioner for Health, Dr Amina Ahmed El-Imam, and the Commissioner for Environment, Mallam Shehu Ndanusa Usman; who had arrived earlier at the scene of the incident.”

The commissioner also prayed for the rapid recovery of all the afflicted victims and reassured the public of the government’s continuous commitment to their well-being.