Uyo church collapse
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This article documents a current disaster. Information regarding it may change rapidly as more information becomes available; news reports and other primary sources may be unreliable. The last updates to this article may not reflect the most current information about this disaster for all areas. |
| Date | 10 December 2016 |
|---|---|
| Location | Uyo, Nigeria |
| Cause | Under investigation |
| Deaths | At least 23 |
On 10 December 2016, the roof of the Reigners Bible Church International, an evangelical congregation, collapsed in Uyo, a city in Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria, during the consecration or ordination of the local bishop.[1][2] At least 23 people are confirmed to have died in the disaster, with other reports stating numbers as high as 160.[1][3] Thousands were present at the time of collapse, including government officials and Akwa Ibom governor Udom Gabriel Emmanuel.[2][4]
Contents
Collapse[edit]
At approximately 11 a.m., 30 minutes into the church's Saturday morning programme, the building's roof collapsed from the centre.[5] The church had been under construction until shortly before the incident, with some reports stating that work was unfinished at the time of collapse.[1][6] The construction had been rushed to prepare the church for the ordination of the local bishop.[1] Different numbers of deaths have been reported. The News Agency of Nigeria reported that there were 60 victims,[2] and a rescue official stated that 60 bodies had been retrieved.[4] More than 100 bodies had been seen at the local morgue, and staff at the University of Uyo Teaching Hospital reported that 160 people were killed.[1]
Aftermath[edit]
Immediately following the collapse, cranes were sent in, lifting debris to rescue survivors and retrieve bodies.[3] Security personnel have been brought to the scene to maintain order and "prevent hoodlums from cashing in on the situation", according to Akwa Ibom state police.[5] The state government plan to investigate whether building standards were followed during construction of the church.[7]
See also[edit]
References[edit]
- ^ a b c d e "Nigeria Uyo: Scores dead in church collapse". BBC News. 11 December 2016.
- ^ a b c "At least 10 killed by collapse of church in southern Nigeria: resident". Reuters. 10 December 2016.
- ^ a b "Hospital Director: 160 Dead in Collapsed Nigerian Church". Associated Press. 10 December 2016 – via The New York Times.
- ^ a b "Church collapses in Uyo, killing dozens of Nigerians". Al Jazeera. 11 December 2016. Retrieved 11 December 2016.
- ^ a b "Uyo church collapse leaves over 50 dead". The Guardian. 11 December 2016. Retrieved 11 December 2016.
- ^ "Church Collapse in Uyo, Nigeria, Kills More Than 150 Worshipers: Hospital". NBC News. 11 December 2016. Retrieved 11 December 2016.
- ^ "Nigeria church collapses onto worshippers, killing 160". Associated Press. 11 December 2016. Retrieved 11 December 2016.
