…the giant billboard collapsed around 3pm during a heavy rain
A tragic incident occurred along the Aba-Owerri road in Aba, Abia State, on Wednesday afternoon when a massive advertising billboard collapsed onto several tricycles carrying passengers, iNews Times reports.
The tragic accident happened at the Salad Market junction near the GIA Event Centre.
The iNews Times gathered that the incident happened during a heavy downpour accompanied by violent winds.
An eyewitness who spoke to iNews Times on condition of anonymity said the giant billboard collapsed around 3pm during the heavy rain.
“It was around 3pm, we were standing and waiting for transport when suddenly the billboard collapsed trapping and squeezing many tricycles with their passengers” she said.
Adding that several people were injured, and some are feared dead.
Emergency responders and local engineers joined efforts to rescue survivors, while injured passengers were promptly taken to nearby hospitals for urgent medical care.
The bodies of the deceased were reportedly transported to the morgue.
The exact number of casualties however remains unconfirmed as of press time.
The incident has sent shockwaves through the community, and an investigation into the cause of the collapse is likely to follow.
