Zuma Says 67 South Africans Died In Synagogue Building Collapse
Following the collapse building of the Synagogue Church of All Nations, SCOAN in Ikotun area of Lagos on Friday, September 12, sixty seven South Africans are reportedly among the worshippers that died.
According to Vanguard, the President of South Africa, Jacob Zuma announced this in a statement on Tuesday.
President Zuma said: "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, 12 September 2014, in Lagos, in the Federal Republic of Nigeria. "
”This is a particularly difficult time for South Africa. 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.”
“May the souls of the departed compatriots rest in peace,” he said.
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.
He also extended his condolences to Nigeria and all other nations affected by this tragedy.
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It was gathered that at least five South African church tour groups were at The Synagogue at the time of the collapse
There are reports that the death toll might have increased to 63. Just as it was rported yesterday, that a woman miraculously walked out of the rubble four days after the building of SCOAN church collapsed.
Prophet TB Joshua as since reacted to the building collapse saying a low-flying aircraft was responsible for the collapse, however saying: “Hard times may test me, they cannot destroy me.” In few weeks the truth behind the collapsed building will be revealed".
Meanwhile the Nigeria’s National Emergency Management Agency’s Ibrahim Farinloye said that much about the incident remained unclear saying:
"The church known as The Synagogue “hid so much information from us, and (this is) the cause of frustration for rescuers,” he said.
The Lagos state has said that they had given permission for an erection of additional stuructures, adding that the initial plan was a 2-story building but was later remodeled and 3 extra floors added.
Scores more sustained injuries in the collapse while rescue efforts are said to have so far saved the lives of 133 victims are scheduled to end on Wednesday.
“We have reached a critical stage now and more survivors are likely to be brought out of the rubble,”according to National Emergency Management Agency’s Ibrahim Farinloye.
Source: Legit.ng
