At least eight worshippers have been killed and nine others injured in a stampede following a massive evangelical gathering in Bujumbura, Burundi’s largest city.
The tragedy occurred on Sunday at the Senior Technical School of Kamenge, where thousands had gathered to attend a crusade led by prominent Burundian preacher Chris Ndikumana.
According to eyewitnesses and police, panic broke out as worshippers rushed to leave the venue after the event ended late at night.
A wall near the exit gate reportedly collapsed during the rush, causing many people to be trapped and trampled.
In a statement issued on Monday, police said King Khaled Hospital in Bujumbura recorded six deaths, five women and one man, while four injured victims were receiving treatment at the facility.
Two additional deaths were confirmed at a military hospital, where five other injured worshippers were taken for medical attention.
Police said only two of the victims sustained visible physical injuries, while the others showed no signs of trauma, suggesting that suffocation during the stampede was the likely cause of most of the deaths and injuries.
Ndikumana, founder of the Kanguka (Wake Up) ministry, has not publicly commented on the incident.
The preacher, who has more than one million subscribers on YouTube, is known for attracting huge crowds across Africa, with many followers believing he can heal illnesses through prayer.