At least 160 killed by church roof collapse in Nigeria: official

At least 160 worshippers were killed and dozens injured when a church roof collapsed during a service in southern Nigeria on Saturday, a hospital director said. 

The number of dead is expected to climb further, Etete Peters of the University of Uyo Teaching Hospital told the Associated Press.

The church roof collapsed during a service in the southern city of Uyo in Akwa Ibom state where a pastor was to be consecrated as bishop, police spokeswoman Cordelia Nwawe said. 

"I visited the scene of the incident today and saw people being taken out," said Monday Akpan, a resident.

"More than ten people were killed from my calculation and what I heard others say there."

Local media put the death toll even higher. The Premium Times earlier said on its website at least 50 people had been killed or seriously injured.

Police and civil service officials said some worshippers had been killed but refused to give a figure as the rescue operation was still ongoing.