Two women were killed, while 17 persons sustained various degrees of injuries following the collapse of market stalls at Urua Edet-Obo, a market at Ikot Akpatek in Onna local government area of Akwa Ibom State.
Murtala Mani, state police commissioner, confirmed the tragic incident in a telephone conversation with reporters.
“Two women died during the tragedy caused by the collapse of an old wall that fell on them,” he said.
“Others who sustained injuries have been taken to the hospital for treatment.”
A witness said the remains of the deceased had been deposited at Immanuel Hospital in Eket, a neighbouring local government area.
The witness added that some of the injured victims, many of them women, are responding to treatment in the hospital.
The incident happened nine days after 26 worshippers were killed and 158 injured after a building collapsed at Reigners Bible Church, Uyo.
Udom Emmanuel, the governor of Akwa Ibom State, who was attending the consecration ceremony of the pastor and founder of the church, Akan Weeks, when the building collapsed on the congregation has said that the building was defective.
The church building is located at Uyo Village Road, off Barracks Road. It was reportedly “filled to the brim” for the consecration service which would have seen Akan Weeks take on the title of Bishop. (NAN)
