Johannesburg - A church gallery collapsed during a Christmas service on the island of Madagascar, off the south-eastern coast of Africa, killing at least 15 worshippers, southern African media reported on Friday.

Attendees at the service at the Church of Jesus Christ in Madagascar, the largest protestant denomination in the country, were packed into the building in the town of Ampanotokanaendete on Christmas Day when a newly erected gallery collapsed.

From the wreckage 15 casualties were rescued, media reports said, amongst them three women with severe head injuries, who were taken to hospital.

The 137-year-old church building had long been in need of renovation, according to the reports. (dpa)