Survivor from the tragedy at Calabar viewing center recalls his ordeal

 Ukah Timothy, one of the survivors of the Calabar incident, is giving praises to God to be alive ,Reports claim that at least 30 people lost their lives after high tension electricity cable fell on the roof of a football viewing centre.But police say that at least seven people were killed at a viewing centre in Calabar while 10 sustained severe injuries,Ukah Timothy, one of the survivors of the Calabar incident, is giving praises to God to be alive to narrate his story, Daily Gossip reports.

He said: “It happened at the 38th minute of the match. First we 

noticed a spark on the cable outside, and as everyone was scrambling to leave place, the cable fell on the roof of building. 

All my friends who sat beside me were killed. Many were severely burnt. I was lucky to be alive. Before I was taken to hospital, I counted eight dead bodies. I saw many in critical condition.”

Another eyewitness said: “It happened during the match between Manchester United and Anderlecht. I heard a deafening bang. I rushed out to see what was happening. It was a horrible sight to behold. 

I wish I didn’t come out to watch the match. Come to think of it, I have DStv at home but I enjoy watching matches at viewing centres. I could have been dead. I can’t believe that the people I was chatting and joking with a few minutes ago are all gone in a most anguishing way. This world is vain.”

A man identified as Chucks Chukwudi, whose shop is located next to the viewing centre, said: “People started entering the viewing centre at about 7:30pm. The first half had just ended when the high tension cable cut and fell on the room.

The match schedule outside the viewing centre in Calabar

“The centre was so crowded, and people were falling on each other when the incident happened. There were many deaths and many injuries. We called the police, and they came minutes later and evacuated the bodies.”

 President Muhammdu Buhari expressed shock over the death of  some football viewers who lost their lives at a football viewing centre in Calabar.

The president in a statement, issued by his senior media aide, Garba Shehu, on Friday, April 21, commiserated with the government and people of Cross River state, and football fans nationwide over the unfortunate incident.