At least 160 killed as crowded church collapses in Nigeria

A hospital director says 160 people were killed when a church roof collapsed onto worshippers in southern Nigeria on December 10.

Etete Peters of the University of Uyo Teaching Hospital said mortuaries are overflowing and the final death toll likely will be much higher. Youth leader Edikan Peters said many other victims are in private mortuaries scattered all over the city of Uyo.

Up to 160 people are reported to have been killed after a church roof collapsed onto worshippers in southern Nigeria.
Up to 160 people are reported to have been killed after a church roof collapsed onto worshippers in southern Nigeria.

Congregants said the Reigners Bible Church was still under construction when it was crowded with worshippers to ordain a bishop on Saturday. Metal girders crashed and the corrugated iron roof caved in.

The state government said it will investigate to see if building standards were compromised.

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.

A church roof has collapsed in southeastern Nigeria, killing at least 60 people, with local media reporting the death toll to be much higher.
A church roof has collapsed in southeastern Nigeria, killing at least 60 people, with local media reporting the death toll to be much higher.
Hundreds had been inside the Reigners Bible Church International in the city of Uyo on Saturday for the consecration of founder Akan Weeks as its bishop when the metal girders fell and the corrugated iron roof caved in.
Hundreds had been inside the Reigners Bible Church International in the city of Uyo on Saturday for the consecration of founder Akan Weeks as its bishop when the metal girders fell and the corrugated iron roof caved in.
Screaming survivors streamed out amid cries from the injured inside.
Screaming survivors streamed out amid cries from the injured inside.
Officials feared the death toll could rise.
Officials feared the death toll could rise.
It is a massive church and the local bishop was being ordained at the service, so there were thousands of people, including top government officials there.
It is a massive church and the local bishop was being ordained at the service, so there were thousands of people, including top government officials there.
Many of the dead were taken to private mortuaries scattered across the city, said youth leader Edikan Peters. Some people were taking the bodies of relatives to their homes because of the overcrowding.
Many of the dead were taken to private mortuaries scattered across the city, said youth leader Edikan Peters. Some people were taking the bodies of relatives to their homes because of the overcrowding.
FOX / Aljazeera / PSNews

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