Tree falls on tuk-tuk in Sri Lanka, killing student and two women

A tragic accident in Nawalapitiya, Sri Lanka, claimed the lives of three people when a large eucalyptus tree collapsed onto a three-wheeled taxi. The victims, including a school student and two women, were killed instantly when the tree crushed the vehicle they were traveling in.

The incident occurred on the road near Mapakanda, as the taxi was en route to Nawalapitiya. The driver of the three-wheeler miraculously survived the devastating impact. Emergency services and local residents worked together to clear the fallen tree and recover the bodies, which were transported to Nawalapitiya District Hospital.

Residents of the area expressed frustration, stating that the tree was old and had been decaying for some time. They claim that they had previously alerted relevant authorities about the dangerous condition of the tree and the need for its removal. However, their warnings apparently went unheeded, leading to this fatal outcome.

This incident raises serious questions about the maintenance of public infrastructure and the responsiveness of local authorities to safety concerns. The community is mourning the loss of life and demanding accountability for the preventable tragedy.