At least 10 persons have been confirmed dead after the roof of a church came crashing down during a baptism ceremony in Mexico.
The unfortunate incident occurred in the northeastern coastal town of Ciudad Madero in the Tamaulipas state on Sunday, October 1
Forty-nine people were taken to hospital after the collapse at Santa Cruz church in the coastal city of Ciudad Madero in Tamaulipas state. At least two children are reported to be among those killed.
Around 100 people were attending Mass at the time, police said. Some reports suggested a baptism ceremony was being held there.
“Unfortunately, 10 people are confirmed dead. Of these, five are women, two men, and three children,” Americo Villarreal, governor of Tamaulipas, told reporters at the scene.
Rescue workers were attempting to recover the body of a woman from the rubble, but the death toll was not expected to rise as all of the missing had been accounted for, he added.
At least 60 people were treated for injuries, Villarreal said, with 23 were still in hospital.
“Two have serious injuries, their lives may be in danger,” he added.
Jose Armando Alvarez, the bishop of the local diocese, said in a video posted on social media that “the roof of a church has collapsed during the celebration of the Eucharist”.
The Archdiocese of Mexico posted a message on social media offering condolences.
“We join in prayer with our sister diocese Tampico to intercede for our killed and injured brothers,” it said.