Five die as church building collapsed in Ondo State

The building was under renovation when it collapsed, eyewitnesses say.

“This is the first time that such a thing will happen in this community. It was caused by the inferior materials used for the renovation of the church,” an eyewitness reportedly tells reporters.

Confirming the incident, the state police public relations officer (PPRO) Femi Joseph, described the incident as sad and unfortunate.

According to Joseph, only five people lost their lives in the incident, explaining that the people were killed while struggling to collect firewood at the site of the building.

He gave the name of the victims as, Morenike Bubuma, Margret Goloba, Mayama Goloba, Kowei Aboa and the pregnant woman, Dali Gunuboh

His word: “a renovation was going on in one of the churches in the area, they are trying to build a bigger church and while trying to demolish the old one after building the new one, the building collapsed while people were struggling for wood.

“Five people were killed on the spot while four others were seriously injured and rushed to a nearby hospital for medical attention.”

Joseph, however, notes the death of the five people could have been avoided but that “the people were in hurry to fetch the wood.

He opines “they should have allowed the bricklayers to finish their work before invading the building.”

Joseph also stated the command has begun an investigation into the accident.