…..A four-year-old child survived after a collapsed head tank crushed a family in Nenwenta, while landslides cut off the community.
Six members of the same family have died after a building collapsed in Nenwenta community, Awgu Local Government Area of Enugu State, following torrential rainfall and landslides in the area.
The victims were reportedly a man, his wife, their three children and their grandmother.
According to villagers who spoke to The Nation, the family members were inside the building when a head tank collapsed on the structure, trapping and killing them.
Only one child, reportedly four years old, survived the incident.
The child was rescued from the collapsed building and taken to a hospital for medical attention.
The tragedy occurred on September 18, 2026, amid severe rainfall that triggered landslides and caused significant disruption across Nenwenta and neighbouring Ugwueme communities.
Landslide Cuts Off Communities
The building collapse occurred as a landslide reportedly cut off Nenwenta and Ugwueme from other parts of Enugu State.
The damaged road created serious access problems for residents and emergency responders attempting to reach the affected communities.
Residents travelling out of the area reportedly had to pass through parts of Abia and Imo states before reconnecting with other parts of Enugu State.
The lack of direct access has heightened concerns about the ability of emergency agencies to respond quickly to incidents in the affected communities.
Residents said the road disruption had left them stranded and complicated rescue efforts following the building collapse.
Lawmaker Raises Alarm in Assembly
The member representing Awgu South State Constituency in the Enugu State House of Assembly, Anthony Nwankwo, raised the issue on the floor of the Assembly on Monday.
Nwankwo presented the matter under a motion of urgent public importance, drawing attention to the deaths and the worsening access problems caused by the landslide.
The lawmaker described the incident as a serious disaster and said the collapse of the head tank resulted in the deaths of six members of one family.
He also noted that the survival of the four-year-old child demonstrated the need for immediate emergency intervention and improved access to the affected communities.
Nwankwo expressed concern that some of the victims might have been rescued alive if emergency responders had been able to reach the community quickly.
He consequently called on the state government and relevant agencies to reopen the road connecting Ugwueme and Nenwenta.
“I move that the House do write the relevant authorities to intervene to open the road leading to Ugwueme and Nenwenta,” he said.
Calls for Urgent Government Intervention
Nwankwo specifically appealed to the Enugu State Ministry of Works, the Enugu State Emergency Management Authority and the Ecological Fund to intervene.
He urged the agencies to prioritise the reopening of the road and provide assistance to residents affected by the disaster.
The lawmaker also called for measures to prevent further loss of lives and property in the affected communities.
The request comes as residents face the combined impact of the building collapse, landslides and disruption to road access.
Reopening the road would allow emergency personnel to reach the affected areas more easily while also restoring movement for residents who currently face difficulties travelling in and out of the communities.
Assembly Members Support Motion
Other lawmakers supported the call for immediate government intervention.
Members of the House expressed sympathy to Nwankwo and residents of his constituency over the deaths.
The lawmakers representing Ezeagu, Nkanu East and Oji River constituencies, Chima Obieze, Okey Mba and Osita Eze, respectively, described the incident as a natural disaster.
They called for urgent action to restore access to Ugwueme and Nenwenta and provide relief to residents affected by the landslide.
The lawmakers also urged residents to exercise caution when constructing buildings around hills and areas vulnerable to erosion and landslides.
They specifically warned against building close to hills and engaging in what they described as reckless excavation of soil and stones.
According to the lawmakers, such activities can increase exposure to landslides and other environmental hazards, particularly during periods of heavy rainfall.
Disaster Raises Safety Concerns
The deaths have highlighted the risks faced by residents living in areas affected by heavy rainfall, unstable terrain and inadequate access roads.
The combination of torrential rainfall and landslides can create dangerous conditions around buildings, roads and hillsides.
In Nenwenta, the situation was compounded by the reported collapse of the access road, making it more difficult for emergency responders to reach residents.
The incident has therefore raised concerns beyond the immediate building collapse, with lawmakers calling for preventive measures and improved infrastructure.
The call for intervention also includes providing relief to residents who have been cut off from other communities.
Four-Year-Old Child Survives
The survival of the four-year-old child was the only reported positive development following the tragedy.
The child was rescued from the collapsed structure and rushed to hospital.
The condition of the surviving child was not disclosed in the report.
The identities of the six deceased family members were also not provided.
The incident has left residents and members of the Enugu State House of Assembly mourning the loss of an entire family while demanding urgent government intervention.
Government Faces Pressure to Restore Access
The Enugu State Government and relevant emergency agencies are now being urged to act quickly to reopen the affected road.
The lawmakers said restoring access was necessary not only to assist residents but also to prevent additional casualties if another emergency occurs.
The intervention is expected to involve road rehabilitation, emergency response support and relief for communities affected by the landslide.
The lawmakers also called for preventive measures to address environmental risks in areas vulnerable to landslides.
For residents of Nenwenta and Ugwueme, the immediate priority remains restoring access and ensuring that the recent disaster does not lead to further loss of life.
The September 18 tragedy has underscored the dangers posed by torrential rainfall and landslides while exposing the difficulties faced by communities without reliable emergency access.
As authorities respond to the situation, residents are awaiting urgent assistance and the reopening of the road connecting the affected communities with the rest of Enugu State.
