At least 160 dead after church roof collapses in Nigeria

The roof of a church has collapsed during a packed service in Nigeria, killing at least 160 worshippers, a hospital director has said. Morgues are overflowing and the number of dead is expected to rise much further, Etete Peters of the University of Uyo Teaching Hospital told the Associated Press. Dozens of people were also injured in the collapse in the southern city of Uyo in Akwa Ibom state.

It’s not a good thing. We are really, really devastated that this could happen.

Udom Emmanuel, governor of Akwa Ibom

The Reigners Bible Church International was reportedly still under construction when it was being used for a ceremony to ordain church founder Akan Weeks as a bishop. Witnesses said hundreds of people were inside when metal girders crashed and the corrugated iron roof caved in. Udom Emmanuel, governor of Akwa Ibom, was attending the service at the time. He and Mr Weeks escaped unhurt.

Africa