Bujumbura, Burundi — A solemn gathering in Bujumbura, Burundi, turned into a tragedy on Saturday night as a crowd crush during an evangelical service at the Senior Technical School of Kamenge resulted in the deaths of eight individuals and injuries to nine others.
The event, led by the renowned preacher Chris Ndikumana, drew thousands of worshippers, including many from across the continent.
As the service concluded late into the night, the crowd attempted to exit the venue, causing a surge towards the exit gate.
The pressure on the gate led to the collapse of a wall, creating a chaotic scene where many were trampled in the stampede. Eyewitness accounts and police reports indicate that the majority of the fatalities were due to suffocation, with few victims displaying visible injuries. This suggests that the crush itself was the primary cause of death.
Chris Ndikumana, whose Kanguka (“Wake Up “) ministry is known for its massive gatherings and boasts a YouTube following of over a million, has not yet publicly addressed the incident. His ministry’s appeal is centered around the belief in healing through prayer. This incident has highlighted the safety concerns at large religious gatherings, particularly in Africa.
The World Health Organization’s (WHO) mass gatherings programme has emphasized the need for comprehensive preparedness and response strategies to enhance health security at such events.
In similar incidents across the continent, including a 2020 stampede in Tanzania and a 2022 tragedy in Nigeria, the consequences of overcrowding and inadequate crowd management have been dire. Local authorities are currently investigating the Burundi incident and have called for stricter crowd-management measures to prevent future tragedies.
The Burundi government has been reminded of its responsibility to ensure that religious denominations adhere to the law, particularly concerning the hosting of large gatherings.
*Additional reporting by ImNews | Sources consulted: 5*
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This original article was produced by the ImNews editorial team
Source: Africanews
Source: Rédaction Africanews
