At least 40 people have died and many others injured when an unfinished building belonging to the famous Nigerian preacher, TB Joshua, collapsed in Lagos.

The two-storey building, located in the sprawling compound of the vast church complex came down on Friday afternoon.

“It’s now 40 dead,” said Ibrahim Farinloye, southwest coordinator of the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), with officials expressing fears the death toll could rise as rescue efforts continue.

About 124 survivors were reportedly rescued alive from the rubbles of the building, which served as the guesthouse for foreign dignitaries and followers of TB Joshua, who leads the Synagogue Church of All Nations (SCOAN).

TB Joshua, dubbed “The Prophet”, has an almost fanatical following among Nigerians and across the world, attracted by his purported healing powers and prophecies, in which he preaches to thousands of followers every week.

The purported prophet, on his facebook page, confirmed that the building had indeed collapsed, but downplayed the number of casualties, saying most people inside the building were rescued.