ABUJA, July 16 (Xinhua) -- The death toll from a two-storey building which collapsed in the central Nigerian city of Jos has risen to 14 on Tuesday, the official rescue agency said.
The residential building in Jos North local government area of the Plateau State capital suddenly collapsed, causing panic among residents in the neighborhood late Monday.
Seven people were earlier confirmed dead. The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) said seven more bodies had been recovered from the debris of the collapsed building during the rescue operation.
Four people were severely injured, according to Nurudeen Musa, NEMA's head of rescue operations in Nigeria's north-central region.
Local police said some seven people were rescued unhurt.
Local sources said the landlord of the building and his pregnant daughter were among the dead. They were buried earlier in the day by their immediate family after their bodies were recovered during the rescue operation.
Police said they have commenced an investigation to ascertain the cause of the collapse.
Building collapses often occur in Nigeria as some property owners and developers do not adhere strictly to planning and building laws and regulations. In most cases, heavy loads are placed on the building and substandard materials are often used in the construction work.
In March, at least 12 pupils of a primary school were confirmed dead following the collapse of a three-storey building which housed their school in Nigeria's commercial hub, Lagos.
