No fewer than eight worshippers have been pronounced dead while many others sustained injuries, following the collapsing of some part of Zaria Central Mosque.
Situated in the Zazzau emir’s palace, the mosque was built hundreds of years ago.
The incident happened around 4pm when worshipers were observing Asr prayers.
Spokesman for Zaria Emirate Council, Abdullahi Kwarbai, said the incident occurred as hundreds of faithful observed afternoon prayers at the city’s central mosque.
“Four bodies were found initially, and then three others were found after the rescue team searched the collapsed mosque,” he said.
A worshiper who was at the scene of the incident told DAILY NIGERIAN that about hundred people have sustained injuries and are receiving medical attention at a nearby hospitals.
According to him, the mosque was rebuilt a few years ago but the wall that collapsed was part of the old building of the mosque that was retained.