A devastating incident occurred on Wednesday afternoon in Aba, Abia State, when a large advertising billboard suddenly collapsed onto several tricycles carrying passengers at the Salad Market junction near the GIA Event Centre.
The collapse happened amid a heavy downpour with violent winds, causing the billboard to crash without warning and trap the tricycles beneath its massive weight.
Eyewitnesses described the chaos as passengers were pinned down, with some feared dead at the scene. Emergency responders and local engineers quickly arrived to rescue survivors, pulling victims from under the wreckage. Injured passengers were rushed to nearby hospitals for urgent medical care, while bodies of those who died were taken to the morgue. The exact casualty figures remain unconfirmed as rescue operations continue.
The incident also disrupted power supply in the area after the billboard brought down high-tension electricity wires. Residents and relatives of victims gathered at the scene, visibly distraught by the tragedy. Structural engineers who examined the site pointed to a weak foundation and poor construction standards as possible causes of the collapse, urging authorities to enforce stricter safety regulations for billboard installations.
Watch the video capturing the dramatic moments of the collapse and rescue efforts.
