The governor of Imo State, Owelle Rochas Okorocha, has expressed deep shock over the death of several persons killed by a big tree that fell down yesterday at Umudagu, Mbieri, Mbaitoli LGA. While the official death toll has been put at 15, unofficial sources say it was up to 35 or even 50.

Okorocha who visited the area while rescue operation was still ongoing, said he swiftly directed relevant agencies for prompt rescue operation on receiving information of the incident.

He described the incident as a natural disaster and wondered why the community resisted efforts made to cut down the tree before it claimed scores of lives, warning that people should desist from dwelling on superstitious beliefs which he said negate sound reasoning.

Gov. Okorocha directed the mayor of Owerri, Dr. Kachi Nwoga, to make available to his office all necessary information in respect to the victims as government plans to give succour to the families that lost their loved ones in the unfortunate disaster.

He also called on communities that have similar trees to cut them down to avoid the reoccurrence of the said incident.

•Photo courtesy Vanguard shows the tree of the fallen tree.