Toll in Uganda church collapse climbs to 28
(AFP)
Updated: 2006-03-09 20:43

The death toll from a church building that collapsed outside the Ugandan capital climbed to 28 after two more people died from their injuries.

They said the victims died in Mulago National Hospital, where they had been taken after the roof of the packed City of the Lord Evangelical Church caved in in Kalerwe suburb, about four kilometres (2.5 miles) north of the city centre, during a service on Wednesday.

"Last night, we lost two more people. Ninety seven people are still in hospital," Isaac Ezati, the hospital's deputy director told AFP.

"We have suspended all general surgery so that all the doctors can concetrate on the injured," he added.

Doctors were treating patients with crushed limbs, 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 about 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 late Wednesday said that police would investigate who built the church and what materials had been used.

Fourteen people were killed and more than 100 injured in neighbouring Kenya in January when an unfinished office building collapsed in the capital. The owner of the building faces manslaughter charges.