Over 60 killed as church rooftop collapsed in Nigeria

Over 60 killed as church rooftop collapsed in Nigeria

Lagos (Web Desk): A church rooftop has collapsed in Uyo, in southeastern Nigeria, killing over 60 people attending a bishop's ordination.

Foreign media reported that hundreds of people were inside the Reigners Bible Church including Akwa Ibom state governor Udom Emmanuel, who survived the disaster.

Several people were buried in the rubble of the church. The church was still under construction and workers had rushed to complete it for the ordination.

The rescue rushed the scene soon after incident being reported. A rescue official said, 60 bodies had been recovered but the toll could mount as a crane removes the debris.

Mr Emmanuel stated that there would be an investigation into whether safety standards had been compromised.

President Muhammadu Buhari has expressed grief over the loss of precious lives.

"It was about 20 minutes after the governor arrived. Suddenly, the roof fell on worshippers. The governor was quickly rescued. But others were not that lucky."

Building collapses are relatively common in Nigeria, mainly due to the use of sub-standard materials and the violation of building regulations.

In 2014, scores of people were killed when a church hostel belonging to a Nigerian TV evangelist collapsed in the city of Lagos.