Uyo church collapse

Uyo church collapse

Date	10 December 2016
Location	Uyo, Nigeria
Cause	Under investigation
Deaths	27 to 160[1]

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]

Collapse

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

• 2014 Synagogue Church building collapse
• 2016 Lagos building collapse

References

1. "Official: Nigerian church that collapsed, killing 160, had many faults". USA TODAY.
2. "Nigeria Uyo: Scores dead in church collapse". BBC News. 11 December 2016.
3. "At least 10 killed by collapse of church in southern Nigeria: resident". Reuters. 10 December 2016.
4. "Hospital Director: 160 Dead in Collapsed Nigerian Church". Associated Press. 10 December 2016 – via The New York Times.
5. "Church collapses in Uyo, killing dozens of Nigerians". Al Jazeera. 11 December 2016. Retrieved 11 December 2016.
6. "Uyo church collapse leaves over 50 dead". The Guardian. 11 December 2016. Retrieved 11 December 2016.
7. "Church Collapse in Uyo, Nigeria, Kills More Than 150 Worshipers: Hospital". NBC News. 11 December 2016. Retrieved 11 December 2016.