A block of market stalls which collapsed in Nigeria's southeastern state of Akwa Ibom has claimed two lives and injured 17 others, local police said on Tuesday.

Akwa Ibom State police chief Murtala Mani said old walls fell on the victims at the Urua Edet-Obo, an usually crowded market in Onna district of the oil-rich state on Monday.

According to the senior police officer, investigation is underway to ascertain the cause of the market stalls collapse.

An eyewitness told Xinhua some of the injured victims were trapped in the rubble.

On December 10, more than 100 worshippers died following the collapse of a church building in Uyo, the state capital.

source: Xinhua