The death toll from yesterday’s tragedy in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, in which a church building collapsed on worshipers during a coronation ceremony, has risen to 160.
International media sources including BBC and the Independent are saying on Sunday afternoon that up to 160 have been confirmed killed and the death toll could rise further as rescuers go through the debris, looking for survivors and picking up dead bodies. They are citing Nigerian authorities as the source of their information.
According to the Independent, authorities in Nigeria say local mortuaries are overflowing and the toll could yet rise further still.
Hundreds of worshippers gathered inside the Reigners Bible Church in Uyoh for the ordaining of a bishop on Saturday, despite the fact that the building was still under construction.
Witnesses said metal girders gave way and crashed to the ground before the entire corrugated iron roof caved in.
The final death toll will likely be “much” higher than 160 and public mortuaries are no longer able to cope, University of Uyo Teaching Hospital director Estate Peters told the Associated Press.
Youth leader Edikan Peters said many other victims have been taken to private mortuaries scattered all over the city of Uyo
The state government said it will investigate to see if building standards were compromised.
Udom Emmanuel, the governor of Akwa Ibom state, was among those inside the church when the roof collapsed but was able to escape.
In a statement, he described the collapse as “an unfortunate incident” and said he had “shared in the agony of the moment”.
He said construction workers involved in building the church were among those who helped with the evacuation, adding: “They acted promptly and I commend their sense of patriotism and gallantry.”
