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.[2][3] At least 23 people are confirmed to have died in the disaster, with other reports stating numbers as high as 160.[2][4] Thousands were present at the time of collapse, including government officials and Akwa Ibom governor Udom Gabriel Emmanuel.[3][5]
| Date | 10 December 2016 |
|---|---|
| Location | Uyo, Nigeria |
| Cause | Under investigation |
| Deaths | 27 to 160[1] |
Collapse edit
At approximately 11 a.m., thirty minutes into the church's Saturday morning programme, the building's roof collapsed from the centre.[6] The church had been under construction until shortly before the incident, with some reports stating that work was unfinished at the time of collapse.[7] The construction had been rushed to prepare the church for the ordination of the local bishop.[2] Different numbers of deaths have been reported. The News Agency of Nigeria reported that there were 60 victims,[3] and a rescue official stated that 60 bodies had been retrieved.[5] 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.[2]
See also edit
References edit
- ^ "Official: Nigerian church that collapsed, killing 160, had many faults". USA TODAY.
- ^ a b c d "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.
- ^ "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.
- ^ "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.