Johannesburg - The SA Council of Churches on Thursday urged religious groups to pray for those affected by the building collapse in Lagos, Nigeria, which killed scores of people, including South Africans.
“We appeal to faith communities across the country to use their worship time this weekend in mosques, shuls/synagogues/temples, churches and all places of worship... and pray for its victims,” acting general secretary Bishop Malusi Mpumlwana said in a statement.
“We extend deep condolences to the families and friends of people that have lost their lives in the painful tragedy of the Lagos church disaster.”
The council commended efforts by the South African government to help in the aftermath of the disaster.
“We call upon all member churches and all people of goodwill to avail themselves to comfort and support distressed families, some of whom are having sleepless nights of anxiety not knowing the fate of their loved ones,” he said.
“The conflicting messages on the exact numbers of the deceased are immaterial, whether we had lost seven or 67 people is not the point, our hearts go out for those souls and the families they leave behind,” Mpumlwana said.
By Thursday afternoon, Agence France-Presse reported that the death toll had increased to 80. The figure was provided by Ibrahim Farinloye, spokesman of the National Emergency Management Agency in Nigeria. He said 130 survivors were pulled from the rubble.
A multi-storey guest house at the Synagogue Church of All Nations church collapsed on Friday.
Sapa