Not less than 50 people died when a church collapsed in Uyo, the capital city of Akwa Ibom, earlier today, eyewitnesses have said.

Though the police are yet to give a figure to the fatalities in the Reigners Bible Church collapse, eyewitnesses said they counted not less than 50 bodies.

According to the News Agency of Nigeria the church’s iron rafters caved in during the consecration service of the Founder of the church, Apostle Akan Weeks, as a bishop.

A witness said that the building collapsed 30 minutes after the Governor Emmanuel Udom, a special guest of honour at the event, arrived at the church.

Another witness, Miss Uduak Effiong, said that a female victim’s bowel was ripped open by the tragedy.

Effiong, who is a communication arts student of the University of Uyo, said that she lost three friends to the incident.

Mr Joseph James, who also witnessed the building collapse, said that the Founder of the church, Apostle Akan Weeks, was also brought out unhurt.

Some rescue team members said that over 60 casualties had been removed from the debris.

However, the state Police Public Relation Officer, ASP Cordelia Nwawe, said that she could not confirm the casualty figure since rescue operations were ongoing.