A historic mosque in Zaria, Nigeria, collapsed during Friday prayers, resulting in losing at least seven lives.
The incident occurred as hundreds of worshippers gathered inside the mosque for weekly congregational prayers.
Local officials are launching an investigation to determine the cause of the collapse, which has left the community in shock.
According to reports, a crack was discovered in one of the mosque's walls just a day before the tragedy unfolded.
The emir of the area, Mallam Ahmed Nuhu Bamalli, expressed his concerns to local media, mentioning the crack and the need for repairs.
The mosque, known to be over a century old, held immense historical and cultural significance for the region.
This incident has once again highlighted the longstanding issue of building collapses in Nigeria, where poor construction practices and inadequate maintenance have often contributed to such disasters.
Abdullahi Kwarbai, a spokesman for the local council, conveyed to Reuters news agency,
"Four bodies were found initially. Then three others were found after the rescue team searched the collapsed mosque."
The tragedy has deeply impacted the affected families, the community, and the nation as a whole.
In response to the crack discovered in the mosque's wall, a team of engineers had been mobilized to assess and repair the structural damage.
However, despite these efforts, the collapse occurred, resulting in a devastating loss of life.