22 killed in Nigeria as Church building caves in

April 10, 2012: At least 22 people were killed and 31 injured when a packed church building collapsed in northern Nigeria during Easter vigil service. The incident took place hours after a powerful car bombing claimed 38 lives in Kaduna city.

Government spokesman Cletus Akwaya said there was a heavy downpour before the building of St Robert's Catholic Church in Adamgbe area of the state caved in. He said the incident should not be linked to any terrorist attack.

Fourteen women and six children were among the dead, Akwaya said, adding that the roof of the building was blown off by the wind. The building had more than 3,000 worshippers who were initially holding an outdoor service before a heavy downpour followed by storm led them in.

Just hours later, a bomb exploded in the central city of Jos, injuring several people. No group had so far claimed responsibility for the blasts, but the Boko Haram sect had threatened a possible bombing during the Easter in some parts of the north.

Violent storms and flooding are often associated with the rainy season in Nigeria, which witnesses heavy downpour across the country.