Scores killed as church collapses on worshippers

At least 28 people have died after a church in Uganda collapsed on hundreds of worshippers in a suburb north of the capital, Kampala.

Doctors at Uganda’s main referral hospital said they were treating up to 97 wounded Christians who sustained minor and serious injuries when a heavy storm ripped through the City of the Lord Church in Kalerwe, about 3 km outside the city centre, on Wednesday.

Twenty-two people died on the spot, while six others died at Mulago Hospital, where they had been taken after the roof caved in during an evening service.

"Last night, we lost two more people, while 97 are still admitted in hospital," said Isaac Ezati, the hospital's deputy director. "We have suspended all general surgery so that all the doctors can concentrate on the injured."

The doctors were treating patients with crushed limbs and head and chest injuries after the building's roof fell in at about 7.00 pm (1600 GMT) during a heavy downpour and storm. Survivors said the congregation numbered over 1,000 at the time of the accident.

Ugandan paramilitary forces were guarding the site of the accident, now reduced to the mangled remains of bricks and iron sheeting and worshippers' possessions. Kampala Police Commander Grace Turyagumanawe said the police would investigate the incident.