50 Worshippers Dead, Mostly Foreigners, As Synagogue Church Building Collapses [Pictured]

Information filed by NewsWireNGR’s reporter from Ikotun area of Lagos state, says no fewer than 50 persons have been feared dead, with several others injured in the Synagogue Church building collapse owned by Pastor T.B. Joshua.

The church located at Ikotun-Egbe, a suburb of Lagos often attracts thousands of worshippers over the weekend when special services are held.

Our Correspondent currently at the scene of the unfortunate incident reports that scores of worshippers have been feared dead, many injured and a lot more still trapped in the debris following the collapse of a building owned by Synagogue Church. NewsWireNGR reporter counted 50 bodies that were being moved by emergency workers to the mortuary.

The exact number of casualties are still unclear but witnesses say that the multi-level building that came crashing on Friday afternoon had at least 100 persons inside at the time of the incident.

The incident which occurred at about 1pm according eyewitness accounts, claimed the lives of many who were lodged in the 5-storey building, used as a guest house, owned by the Church.

The affected building is said to be reserved for foreigners visiting the Church to seek spiritual help. The casualties are said to be the foreigners housed in the building working and attending various services organised by the Nigerian Prophet who is said to cure all kinds of diseases.

It was gathered that three ambulances which came for rescue were filled with dead bodies of those who died in the incident.

Rescue and emergency personnel have been scrapping through the rubbles in search of bodies. Although the building is already occupied, our correspondent gathered that there is ongoing construction to provide more accommodation for worshippers.

The spokesman for the Lagos State Emergency Management Authority,  Friday Adeboayo, confirmed the recovery of the dead bodies. He said rescue operations were ongoing to evacuate injured and trapped persons.

The six storey building under construction in Synagogue Church collapsed around 1.00 pm local time on Friday.

More details to follow.