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Nigeria Uyo: Scores dead in church collapse | Nigeria Uyo: Scores dead in church collapse |
(about 3 hours later) | |
A church roof has collapsed in Uyo, south-east Nigeria, killing at least 60 people attending a bishop's ordination. | A church roof has collapsed in Uyo, south-east Nigeria, killing at least 60 people attending a bishop's ordination. |
Some reports put the number much higher, with many people believed to be still trapped under the debris. | |
Hundreds of people were inside the Reigners Bible Church including Akwa Ibom state governor Udom Emmanuel, who survived the disaster. | Hundreds of people were inside the Reigners Bible Church including Akwa Ibom state governor Udom Emmanuel, who survived the disaster. |
The church was still under construction and workers had rushed to complete it for the ordination, witnesses said. | The church was still under construction and workers had rushed to complete it for the ordination, witnesses said. |
Mr Emmanuel said there would be an investigation into whether safety standards had been compromised. | Mr Emmanuel said there would be an investigation into whether safety standards had been compromised. |
Pictures from the scene show collapsed metal girders and corrugated iron sheeting. | Pictures from the scene show collapsed metal girders and corrugated iron sheeting. |
President Muhammadu Buhari has expressed "deep sorrow" over the incident. | President Muhammadu Buhari has expressed "deep sorrow" over the incident. |
A rescue official quoted by AP news agency said 60 bodies had been recovered but the toll could mount as a crane removes the debris. | A rescue official quoted by AP news agency said 60 bodies had been recovered but the toll could mount as a crane removes the debris. |
An unnamed survivor quoted by Nigeria's Channels TV said: "Normal church service was going on. | An unnamed survivor quoted by Nigeria's Channels TV said: "Normal church service was going on. |
"It was about 20 minutes after the governor arrived. Suddenly, the roof fell on worshippers. The governor was quickly rescued. But others were not that lucky." | "It was about 20 minutes after the governor arrived. Suddenly, the roof fell on worshippers. The governor was quickly rescued. But others were not that lucky." |
Building collapses are relatively common in Nigeria, mainly due to the use of sub-standard materials and the violation of building regulations. | Building collapses are relatively common in Nigeria, mainly due to the use of sub-standard materials and the violation of building regulations. |
In 2014, scores of people were killed when a church hostel belonging to a Nigerian TV evangelist collapsed in the city of Lagos. | In 2014, scores of people were killed when a church hostel belonging to a Nigerian TV evangelist collapsed in the city of Lagos. |