A tragic incident occurred in Aba, Abia State on Wednesday when a tall, large billboard collapsed onto several tricycles carrying passengers, resulting in multiple injuries and feared fatalities.
The accident happened during afternoon hours at the Salad Market junction near the GIA Event Centre, when heavy rainfall accompanied by strong winds caused the structure to give way.
According to eyewitnesses, multiple tricycles with passengers were trapped beneath the massive billboard. Some passengers reportedly died on the spot, while others were heard calling for help from under the collapsed structure.
Local engineers and concerned residents quickly gathered at the scene to assist with rescue efforts, working to extract victims from beneath the debris. The injured were rushed to nearby hospitals for urgent medical attention, while those who reportedly lost their lives were transported to the mortuary.
As of the time of this report, authorities have yet to release an official statement regarding the incident or confirm the exact number of casualties. The scale of injuries and potential fatalities remains unclear pending official verification.
This incident raises concerns about the structural integrity of billboards and other large installations in urban areas, particularly during adverse weather conditions. Similar incidents have occurred in other Nigerian cities in recent years, prompting calls for stricter regulations and enforcement of safety standards for outdoor advertising structures.
The collapse adds to a series of recent unfortunate events in Abia State, coming shortly after reports of other incidents in the region that have affected local communities.
BenriNews will provide updates on this developing story as more information becomes available from official sources.
