World

At Least 20 People Trampled to Death in Tanzania Religious Celebration

CHAOS

The stampede, which also injured 16 others, happened when attendees were walking on “anointed oil” in the dark in a village on the slopes of Mount Kilimanjaro.

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REUTERS

At least 20 people, including five children, were killed and at least 16 others were injured during a church service in Moshi, Tanzania, on the slopes of Mount Kilimanjaro Saturday night. The horrific tragedy occurred as hundreds of worshipers were rushing to walk on “anointed oil” at the end of a religious ceremony held in a darkened stadium, a government official told local media. The ceremony was held by the popular Pastor Boniface Mwamposa, one many new “prosperity gospel” pastors who promise wealth and cures for disease to anyone who walks barefoot across oil that has been blessed and who donates a “tithe” or 10 percent of their income.

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