A falling tree has killed five women and injured two others in Isohe Payam of Ikotos County in Eastern Equatoria state on Saturday.
The two who sustained injures are receiving treatment at the St. Theresa Isohe Hospital.
Ikotos County Paramount Chief Mr. John Lodongi told Radio Tamazuj on Monday that the unnamed women of ages 30-45 years were fishing at the Lohiriafa stream in Ibunyak Boma before they met their tragic death.
“The incident truly happened, these women went to the river to catch fish. As soon as they reached, immediately the tree fell on their heads killing 5 women and two injured now admitted at Isohe hospital. They used to fish there but they went further to another place,” Chief Odongi said.
According to the chief, the river Lohiriafa is believed to possess evil spirits, and those who go there suffer misfortune. He sympathizes with the women's children who are left orphaned.
A member of parliament representing the area at the Eastern Equatoria state legislative assembly Alphonse Muras Chacha condoled with the affected families and the community.
“It is very unfortunate for that incident where we lost the electorate. It is really a tragic event that happened. This is how God plans things sometimes, we don’t time ourselves that it is today that am dying but things happen in a way programmed by God. I give my condolences to the relatives, it would have been worse if it is done by somebody bit it is a natural phenomenon,” Muras said.
He pointed out that people have been fishing in the river for many years, yet such an incident has not been reported.