Over 50 children trapped as church building collapses in Delta

Over 50 children were on Tuesday reportedly trapped as one-storey building belonging to Salvation Ministries collapsed during evening service at Okpanam, Oshinili North Local Government Area of Delta State.

The incident, according to a Punch report which occured around 5pm especially at the children section of the church, trapped over 50 kids during Bible studies.

It was learnt that the church building, which has stayed for over 10 years was initially designed as a plaza before the church occupied the upper chamber of the one storey building.

One of the church members simply identified as Grace Ibe, stated that the service was ongoing when the building collapsed with a thunderous noise.

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“We were clapping and praying when suddenly we heard the cracking and the building swallowed the children section with the children,” she said.

She said the church is currently observing its new year 21 day fasting but members of the ill-fated church came to break the fasting with a communion service.

Men of the Delta State Emergency Management Agency, fire service and the state police command formed the rescue team as trapped chilrdren were crying under the debris of the collasped building.

Witness said no fewer than 15 women and 20 children have been rescued but it could not be ascertained whether they were still alive as they were being rolled into ambulances.

As at the time of filing this report, Secretary to the State Government, Patrick Ukah, team of Red Cross officers, and fire fighters were on ground on a rescue mission.

Worshippers, family members and sympathisers were crying as efforts were on to rescue other victims.