Tragedy: At least 160 worshippers killed after church collapses in Nigeria
At least 160 people are believed to have been killed when a church roof collapsed onto worshippers in southern Nigeria.
Congregants said the Reigners Bible Church in Uyo was still under construction when it was crowded with worshippers to ordain a bishop.
Metal girders crashed and the corrugated iron roof caved in.
Etete Peters, director of the University of Uyo Teaching Hospital, said mortuaries were overflowing and the final death toll likely would be much higher.
Youth leader Edikan Peters said many other victims were in private mortuaries scattered all over the city of Uyo.
Bodies of at least 60 victims have been retrieved but rescue officials say the toll could mount. (Today.ng)
The state government says it will investigate to see if building standards were compromised.
President Muhammadu Buhari expressed his condolences, telling "the Governor and the People of Akwa Ibom State, the deep sorrow of his family, the government and the entire people of Nigeria over the many deaths and injury recorded following the incident," presidential spokesman Garba Shehu said in a statement.
The governor of Akwa Ibom state, who was at the church but was not injured during the accident, said on his Facebook page that "we have never had such a shocking incident in the history of our dear state."
In 2014, 116 people died when a multi-story building of the Synagogue Church of All Nations collapsed in Lagos. A coroner blamed structural faults.
Comments