Tanzania mourns as 20 killed in church stampede

Tanzania president John Magufuli mourned death of at least 20 people who died late Saturday following a stampede at an evangelical Christian church service in Moshi.

The president said 20 others were also killed in ongoing rains in Lindi, according to a statement issued on Sunday February 2, 2020.

The Moshi tragedy happened when a crowd of worshipers was attending a prayer ceremony on Saturday led by the popular preacher, Boniface Mwamposa, who heads the Arise and Shine Ministry Tanzania.

The stampede occurred when Mwamposa, who calls himself the "Apostle", poured what he said was holy oil on the ground and the crowd surged toward to touch it in the hope of being cured of sickness, witnesses said.

"The Apostle Boniface Mwamposa poured sacred anointing oil on the ground," one witness, Jennifer Temu, told AFP.

Inspector General of Police (IGP) Simon Sirro said 16 others were injured.

“We have launched investigations on the deaths in Moshi,” said Mr Sirro. “Some churches are disturbing us and we will see what to do,” he added.

President Magufuli said the deaths were shocking and prayed for the survivors.

“I’m really sorry for these deaths of Tanzanians,” he said