/ 21 November 2014

Zim church stampede kills 11

Zim Church Stampede Kills 11

The tragedy happened on Thursday night as thousands of people at the church service tried to leave through the same exit at the stadium in the mining town of Kwekwe 130 miles west of Harare.

The crowds were there to hear Walter Magaya, a charismatic pastor who draws huge crowds. 

“Four people died during a crush at a stadium in Kwekwe,” said police spokesman Shadreck Mubaiwa. “The other seven died on arrival at a state hospital in the town.”

The event was organised by Prophet Walter Magaya, a popular Pentecostal preacher who claims to perform miracles of healing.

Mubaiwa said there was a stampede as the church service ended when thousands of worshippers pushed their way through the venue’s only exit.

“Because of the pressure, some people fell resulting in the deaths and injuries. – AFP