A collapsed pavilion following a rainstorm has killed five traders at the venue of a trade fair in Bauchi.
The fair was organised by the North East Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture, and was supported by the six states of the region.
The rain, which started on Saturday night, killed two people at the spot while three injured victims died at the Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University Teaching Hospital (ATUBTH).
But the Commissioner for Commerce and Industry, Mahmoud Babama’ski, while speaking with newsmen at the scene of the incident yesterday, said only two casualties were recorded at the fair, as at 1:00 a.m., on Sunday.
He described the incident as “an act of God”, adding: “No one should be blamed, not even the contractor,” who built the pavilion that collapsed on the traders.
Confirming the incident, spokesperson for ATBUTH, Usman Abdullahi Koli, said: “It is true that we received a certain number of casualties from the scene of the incident. Unfortunately, two were brought in dead, while three had severe injuries from the head to the abdomen and succumbed shortly after arrival.
“Currently, we have three patients with multiple fractures who are receiving treatment and are gradually improving.”
Meanwhile, the Bauchi State Police Command confirmed four victims dead in the incident.
The spokesperson, Ahmed Wakil, said the tragedy occurred in the evening of June 1, at about 9:00 p.m.
