67 South Africans dead after a building collapse in Nigeria
President Zuma has confirmed that 67 South Africans have died after the Synagogue Church of All Nations collapsed on Friday 12 September in Lagos
“Not in the recent history of our country have we had this large number of our people die in one incident outside the country,” said Zuma.
Zuma has assured the families of all killed and injured South Africans that Government will “act with the utmost urgency” to ensure that they can travel to Nigeria as soon as possible.
“We are all in grief,” he said.
The collapsed building was on the campus of the church, but was used as a shopping mall and guesthouse.
On Tuesday the Department of International Relations and Cooperation said that a number of South African tour groups had travelled to the Synagogue. “We know of at least five South African church tour groups were at the Synagogue at the time of the collapse,” it said.
Later reports confirmed that more than 300 South Africans were in the guesthouse when it collapsed.
The touring churches had come to see the Synagogue Church of All Nations’ leader and famed evangelist TB Joshua.
Members of the public who wish to enquire about relatives can contact the Department on a 24-hour basis using the following contact numbers: +2712 351 0924 / +2712 351 1757.