67 South Africans killed in Nigeria building collapse

01 Feb 2016 | Admin Author

President Jacob Zuma says 67 South Africans were among the scores of worshippers killed in the collapse of a popular and controversial Nigerian megachurch last Friday.

Declaring a nation in grief, Zuma said he was greatly saddened to announce that 67 South Africans died and scores of others sustained injuries, when a church hostel building collapsed in Lagos.

The tally of South African dead exceeds the previous toll of 62 people thought to have died in the disaster, a grim signal that the number of fatalities is likely to rise.

Rescuers say the church's hostel -- which housed Nigerian and foreign followers of preacher and televangelist T.B. Joshua -- had been overburdened by the construction of additional floors.

Rescue efforts that have so far saved the lives of 133 victims are scheduled to end on Wednesday.

At least five South African church tour groups were at The Synagogue at the time of the collapse.