Storm in Enugu Leaves Several Dead After Tree Collapses on Fully Loaded 18-Seater Bus

A tragic accident occurred Tuesday night along the Ukwu Akpu Awhum route in Enugu State, after a large tree toppled onto a moving commercial bus, reportedly killing several passengers.

Residents said heavy rain and strong winds uprooted the tree, which fell directly onto an 18-seater bus en route to 9th Mile. Eyewitnesses reported that the bus lost control and overturned, leaving it badly damaged and trapping passengers inside.

“The rain was intense and the wind strong. Suddenly, we heard a loud crash and saw a huge tree had fallen on a bus,” a local resident recounted. Another witness described the scene as “horrific,” with people trapped inside and calling for help.

Preliminary reports indicate that a car may also have been involved, raising concerns that multiple lives were lost. Community members quickly circulated warnings for anyone traveling along the route to check on friends or relatives.

Emergency responders, including volunteers and local vigilante groups, were first on the scene. Despite poor visibility and slippery roads, they worked to rescue survivors and transport the injured to nearby hospitals.

Authorities say the combination of strong winds and heavy rainfall likely caused the tree to collapse onto the highway. The Awhum community is now in mourning, with calls for urgent inspection of roadside trees and stronger emergency response measures to prevent similar incidents.