A christening ceremony for a baby turned sour, at Okwagbe community, Ughelli South Local Government Area of Delta State, on Saturday, when a telecommunication mast, belonging to MTN, collapsed and killed the father of the baby.
Many members of the congregation sustained injuries including the baby, eyewitnesses said.
An eyewitness speaking to newsmen at the Otu-Jeremi General Hospital after the tragedy said: “It was so sudden and violent. The mast came down hard on the crowded church and a portion fell directly on the man who died instantly.
“The baby for dedication was right in his hands at that moment, but survived with injuries like over 50 other affected victims who have been rushed for medical attention.”
Another witness, Austin Ozobo said, “The contractor who installed the mast did a very shoddy job. When it was raining, the mast couldn’t withstand the force of the breeze and fell on the church, killing the man who was dedicating his child.”
“Following the stormy rain, the MTN mast erected at Okwagbe Inland collapsed on St. Lazarus Christ Church building, killing one person in the process. The corpse of the young man has been taken to the Otu-Jeremi General Hospital for autopsy. Others have been taken to yet unknown hospitals for treatment. Effort to contact MTN officials is on”, Kalu said in a statement.