At least four members of the same family have reportedly died after an elevated water tank collapsed on their home at Nenwenta, in Awgu Local Government Area of Enugu State.
The tragic incident reportedly occurred at the weekend following heavy rainfall that triggered a landslide in the area. The landslide allegedly eroded the foundation supporting the water tank, causing it to collapse onto the residential building.
The victims were reportedly a man, his wife, his aged mother and one of their children. The impact of the collapse reportedly flattened the building.
A four year old child was, however, rescued alive from the rubble by emergency responders.
Videos circulating online showed residents gathered around the scene as rescue workers searched through the debris and relatives and community members mourned the victims.
The incident was confirmed by the Enugu State House of Assembly during its proceedings, where the member representing Awgu South State Constituency, Anthony Nwankwo, raised a motion of urgent public importance over the tragedy.
Nwankwo described the incident as devastating and said the affected family was trapped after the water tank collapsed on their home.
He further raised concerns over the difficulty encountered during rescue operations, attributing the challenge to the landslide, which reportedly affected the road linking Ugwueme and Nenwenta.
The lawmaker appealed to relevant government agencies to urgently intervene and restore access to the affected communities.
Contributing to the motion, other lawmakers sympathised with Nwankwo and residents of the affected communities, while calling for immediate intervention to address the damaged road.
Lawmakers representing Ezeagu, Nkanu East and Oji River constituencies, Chima Obieze, Okey Mbah and Osita Eze described the incident as a natural disaster.
They also advised residents to exercise caution when constructing buildings around hills and during excavation of soil and stones, noting that such activities could increase vulnerability to landslides.
The lawmakers called on the Enugu State Ministry of Works, Enugu State Emergency Management Agency (ESMA) and the Ecological Fund Office to urgently intervene in the affected area.
They specifically appealed for the restoration of road access to Ugwueme and Nenwenta to ease movement and facilitate emergency response to the communities.
By Enitan Mudashiru | MUK TV News
