50 die in Synagogue church building collapse

No fewer than 50 persons have been feared dead, with several others injured during the collapse of a six-storey building in the Synagogue Church of All Nations in Ikotun, Lagos on Friday.

A correspondent of the News Agency of Nigerian at the scene reports that ambulances were seen taking people out of the collapse building to the Isolo General Hospital.

There had yet to be an official confirmation of the number of casualties.

Policemen were on the ground dispersing crowds, who were gathered outside the gate of the collapse building.

An eyewitness, who spoke to NAN on anonymity, said that the building collapse at around 1.30pm.

He said the building, which usually serves as a guest house for some foreigners and people from the neighbouring African countries, was completed four months ago.

The eyewitness added that the building, which was a four-storey building, was converted to six-storey building to accommodate more of its visitors.

”We were all surprised with this incidence. At around 1.30pm, the building collapsed while people were inside.

“This building was a four-storey building but it was converted to seven,” he said.

NAN also observed that Lagos State Emergency Management Agency, National Emergency Management Agency and the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps were also on the ground.

LASEMA officials were denied access into the premises of the church while journalists were also chased away from the scene of the incidence.

People, who attempted to take pictures of the scene were harassed by members of the church.

A six-storey building has collapsed at the headquarters of the Synagogue Church of all Nations, Ikotun, Lagos.

The building, which is located inside the church premises, is said to serve as a guest house for foreigners that visit the church.

Our correspondent reports that no fewer than 70 guests were said to be in the building when the building came down.

No reason had been given for the building collapse neither had the church issued a statement as of the time of filing this report.