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18 Passengers Die After Ancient Tree Falls on Bus in Enugu

Published by admin on February 18th, 2026.

18 Passengers Die After Ancient Tree Falls on Bus in Enugu

A devastating incident occurred on Tuesday in Awhum community, Udi Local Government Area of Enugu State, when a large historic tree reportedly fell on a commercial bus, killing no fewer than 18 passengers.

The tragic event happened amid heavy rainfall and a thunderstorm. According to reports, the fully loaded 18-seater bus was en route from Ukehe in Igbo-Etiti Local Government Area to Enugu city when the centuries-old tree, popularly known as “Ukwu Akpu Awhum,” suddenly gave way and crashed onto the vehicle.

Local residents quickly gathered at the scene in an attempt to help, but it was gathered that the impact was severe, leaving no survivor among those on board.

A resident of the community, Charly Okeke, described the atmosphere as one of disbelief and grief. He noted that although parts of the ancient tree had fallen in the past, the community had never experienced a disaster of this magnitude.

He further alleged that some individuals had recently tied red and white cloths around the tree, reportedly for spiritual purposes, and suggested that such actions might have affected its stability. However, there is no official confirmation linking those activities to the collapse.

The incident has plunged the community into deep mourning, with families and neighbors struggling to come to terms with the loss. In light of the tragedy and the ongoing heavy rains in parts of the state, residents are calling for increased awareness and safety checks around old and culturally significant trees.

Emergency management officials and local authorities are expected to assess the scene and provide necessary assistance to affected families. As of the time of this report, the Enugu State Government had not released an official statement regarding the incident.