PRETORIA - South African President Jacob Zuma announced Tuesday that 67 South Africans died in a building collapse in Nigeria's financial capital Lagos.

"I am greatly saddened to announce that 67 South Africans died and scores of others sustained injuries, after a building at the Synagogue Church of All Nations collapsed on Friday," Zuma said in statement to the nation.

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

At least five South African church tour groups were at the Synagogue at the time of the collapse, according to officials.

The number of South African dead exceeds the previously known toll for the disaster, a grim signal that the number of fatalities may rise further.

Zuma said South Africa was grieving after the tragedy nearly a continent away.

"Not in the recent history of our country have we had this large number of our people die in one incident outside the country.

"Our thoughts are with the families, friends and colleagues that have lost their loved ones in this heart-breaking tragedy.

"The whole nation shares the pain of the mothers, fathers, daughters and sons who have lost their loved ones. We are all in grief."

Zuma said he had ordered government departments to help family members get to Nigeria to identify the bodies of their loved ones, and repatriate the remains as soon as possible.


http://www.enca.com/67-south-africans-killed-nigeria-church-collapse

http://www.iol.co.za/news/africa/67-south-africans-dead-in-nigeria-collapse-1.1751888

http://m.news24.com/news24/SouthAfrica/News/67-South-African-killed-in-Nigeria-church-collapse-20140916

http://m.mg.co.za/index.php?view=article&urlid=2014-09-16-zuma-67-south-africans-dead-in-nigeria-church-collapse#.VBkfNmrRZxs

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

Not caused by a jet, neither by Boko Haram; but simply by the fact that the building was overburdened by construction of additional floors. This is the engineering assessment of the situation.

The pastors ist still silent.

I feel that there will be more death bodies found the next day.

may their souls RIP

nora544: The pastors ist still silent.

I feel that there will be more death bodies found the next day.

That is the problem... I don't understand why he will be so silent... nothing coming out from the church yet

With all due respect this is Nonsense

RIP

R.I.P to d dead

RIP

RIP to the dead.

Blood sacrifice things...

Oma se o

And they said 59.

If S. African are 67, then other nationals and Nigerians could be how many?

Na wa o. The death toll might reach 150 o. God forbid.

dis man don go renew him jazz.... na wa o|| so y didn't d man predict is building dat collapse

May their souls rest in peace

What a painful death! Those seeking miracle end up seeing miraculous death. Oma shey oo

So sad......T.B said he was d target of d atak

Shebi dem dey go sokoto to find wetin dey dia shokoto. Sad tho!

Chai!!!
This is really sad. More serious than i anticipated.
Chelseabmw, nice seeing you reporting a News outside auto section

I hope the next news wont be

Breaking News 58 Liberians and 32 people from Guinue, dead in the SCOAN collapsed building

Come see how all rescue workers go run

(Looks like a joke but very possible they are there)

Who's lying now,and why conflicting figures in casualty.

The collapsed building should be probed,and sentiment removed in delivering sanction to anyone found wanting,church,or no church.

The total death recorded according to Nigeria is what again?

Clearly, someone skipped nursery school.

RIP to the dead. It is such an unfortunate event.

chelseabmw:

That is the problem... I don't understand why he will be so silent... nothing coming out from the church yet

With all due respect this is Nonsense

All he make was first it was the plain and when this was not working it was Boko haram but when I see the first video I know that is was the construction of the building, you cannot put on a 2 storey building 4 more storeys, that is not possible.

phransix147: Shebi dem dey go sokoto to find wetin dey dia shokoto

People dey waka o my brother.

67



R I P to them.

lagos houses collapsing since 24bc

very very sad indeed