A Kenyan national died and another person sustained injuries when an electric pole collapsed on them in Aweil town on Monday morning, a doctor said.
Daniel Kimtai and his colleague Anthony Mwangi were hit by an electric pole in the compound of the state judiciary offices.
Speaking to Radio Tamazuj on Tuesday, Aweil State hospital director, Reec Mathok Diing confirmed the incident, saying Mr. Kimtai died on the spot while Mwangi was discharged on Tuesday.
“The incident occurred when a mahogany tree they were cutting down fell on an electric pole and then the pole hit the two men,” Reec explained.
Officials from the Agriculture and Forestry ministry said they neither knew the company nor gave permission to cut down mahogany trees in Aweil town.
The ministry’s advisor, Angelo Atak Akol said they had received a request from the judiciary to have mahogany trees in the compound cut, but insisted that no approval had been made for it.
He blamed the judiciary for acting without consulting the ministry. Akol urged companies dealing in timber to register in the state.
“Let me say every tree in the forest or town is under the responsibility of the Agriculture, Forestry and Animal resources ministry,” he stressed.