Onitsha, Nigeria - At least ten people were killed and some 15 wounded when a church collapsed during a service in southern Nigeria on Saturday, a resident and police
said.
State news agency NAN said on its website there had been 60
"victims" of the collapse in the southern city of Uyo in Akwa
Ibom state without clarifying whether they had been killed or
wounded.
"I visited the scene of the incident today and saw people
being taken out," said Monday Akpan, a resident. "More than ten
people were killed from my calculation and what I heard others
say there."
Local media put the death toll even higher. The Premium
Times said on its website at least 50 people had been killed or
seriously injured.
Police and civil service officials said some worshippers had
been killed but refused to give a figure as the rescue operation
was still ongoing.
The church collapsed during a service when a pastor was to
be consecrated as bishop and local officials in attendance
escaped unhurt, police spokeswomen Cordelia Nwawe said.
"Ten to 15 people were injured and have been taken to a
hospital," Nwawe said.