Popular preacher, Boniface Mwamposa
DAR ES SALAAM, Feb 3 (NNN-AGENCIES) — 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 government statement.
The Moshi tragedy happened when a crowd of worshipers was attending a prayer ceremony on Saturday led by 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.
Inspector General of Police (IGP) Simon Sirro said 16 others were injured.
“We have launched investigations on the deaths in Moshi,” said Sirro. “Some churches are disturbing us and we will see what to do,” he added.
Magufuli said the deaths were shocking and prayed for the survivors.
“I’m really sorry for these deaths of Tanzanians,” he said. — NNN-AGENCIES:
