A container fell from a heavy duty truck on Monday in Owerri, Imo state, trapping some students of the Imo State Polytechnic, Umuagwo, and other commuters. The truck reportedly slipped off and fell on the victims who were standing by the roadside.


Punch learnt that the incident happened opposite the polytechnic’s main gate on the Owerri-Port Harcourt Expressway. A witness, who did not want to be identified, said the incident happened between 9.30am and 10am when the victims were going to school.

He said, "A truck was conveying a container from Port Harcourt to Owerri, but unfortunately, the container slipped off and fell on innocent people who were going for their businesses. Some of the victims are students of the Imo State Polytechnic, who were going to school.

"Nobody anticipated it because it happened within a few seconds. As we speak, no rescue mission has begun. People are trapped under the container."

The state Commissioner of Police, Chris Ezike, said the number of casualties had yet to be ascertained.