Efforts Ongoing To Rescue People Trapped In Ebonyi Mining Pit

Marshy terrain in Abakaliki, Ebonyi capital, where a vehicle
plunged into a pit has hindered rescue operations 48 hours after
the crash.

The yet-to-be-identified vehicle plunged into the abandoned
mining pit on Saturday. Efforts to rescue the passengers failed due
to poor visibility as the incident happened in the evening.

On Sunday, the rescue operation at Enyigba in Abakaliki,
including a crane provided by the government, failed as the pit was
waterlogged.

Governor David Umahi, who visited the scene, supervised the
rescue efforts and dished out instructions on saving the trapped
persons.

The governor was accompanied by the Commissioner of Police,
Aliyu Garba, security heads and top government officials.

Loveth Odah, the police spokeswoman, said, “All efforts made to
retrieve the vehicle failed as it remains unidentified with the
passengers inside it. We are still hoping for the best and urge the
people to remain calm.”

Stephen Orogwu, chairman of Ikwo local government area,
described the incident as unfortunate, noting that the marshy
terrain of the area made rescue efforts difficult.

“The pit is several feet beneath the ground as local, external
and construction experts have been contracted to retrieve the
vehicle,” he said.

A witness claimed that he was driving behind the vehicle when it
suddenly veered from the road and plunged into the pit. (NAN)

Marshy terrain in Abakaliki, Ebonyi capital, where a vehicle
plunged into a pit has hindered rescue operations 48 hours after
the crash.

The yet-to-be-identified vehicle plunged into the abandoned
mining pit on Saturday. Efforts to rescue the passengers failed due
to poor visibility as the incident happened in the evening.

On Sunday, the rescue operation at Enyigba in Abakaliki,
including a crane provided by the government, failed as the pit was
waterlogged.

Governor David Umahi, who visited the scene, supervised the
rescue efforts and dished out instructions on saving the trapped
persons.

The governor was accompanied by the Commissioner of Police,
Aliyu Garba, security heads and top government officials.

Loveth Odah, the police spokeswoman, said, “All efforts made to
retrieve the vehicle failed as it remains unidentified with the
passengers inside it. We are still hoping for the best and urge the
people to remain calm.”

Stephen Orogwu, chairman of Ikwo local government area,
described the incident as unfortunate, noting that the marshy
terrain of the area made rescue efforts difficult.

“The pit is several feet beneath the ground as local, external
and construction experts have been contracted to retrieve the
vehicle,” he said.

A witness claimed that he was driving behind the vehicle when it
suddenly veered from the road and plunged into the pit. (NAN)