At least, 18 of those who were reportedly trapped in the rubble of a building which collapsed in Okpanam, Oshimili North Local Government Area of Delta State on Tuesday evening (around 5pm) have been rescued.
An unconfirmed number of people were still said to be under the rubbles as rescue operation continued.
The building, reportedly belonging to the Salvation Ministries, was said to have collapsed during a church service.
Salvation Ministries, with headquarters in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, is headed by a popular Nigerian pastor, David Ibiyeomie.
It was gathered that construction work was ongoing in a part of the church building.
In some viral videos, some persons, including children, were being rescued from the ruins.
Officials of the Red Cross, fire service and security agencies were still on ground as rescue operations continued as of the time of filing this report.
A bulldozer was also at the scene digging through the rubble.
Edafe Bright, the Delta State Police Command spokesperson, who confirmed the incident to journalists, said that 18 persons had, so far, been rescued.
“We just left the scene now. Eighteen people, so far, have been rescued. So far, there is no recorded death,” he said.
A church member named Grace Ibe, stated that church service was ongoing when the building collapsed with a thunderous noise.
She said, “We were clapping and praying when suddenly, we heard the cracking and the building swallowed the children section with the children.”
