Dozens feared dead in Nigeria church collapse

By Rafiu Ajakaye

LAGOS, Nigeria (AA) – An undetermined number of worshippers and others were killed Saturday when a giant make-shift church collapsed Saturday in Akwa Ibom state, authorities told Anadolu Agency.

“At the moment we are evacuating people who are trapped while they are being taken to nearby hospitals,” according to Cordelia Nwaweco who did not provide details on a death toll.

But residents of the southern town of Uyo said several bodies have been removed from the rubble of the Reigners Bible Church.

“So far, over 20 dead bodies have been taken away. Dozens were taken away to hospitals totally unconscious,” Abak Sunday told Anadolu Agency by telephone.

“Hundreds of people are still trapped at the moment,” he added.

A service to ordain as bishop the church's founder, Pastor Akan Week, was in progress at the time of the collapse. It was attended by the state’s top government officials and thousands of worshippers from across the region.

Building collapses are common in parts of the Nigeria, often with deadly consequences.

A total of 115 worshippers were killed, including 85 South Africans, when a guesthouse collapsed at a mega church in 2014 in southwest Lagos.