Zambia
Zambian police have confirmed the death of eight people and injuries sustained by 20 others during a stampede after a church event in the capital, Lusaka.
The stampede occured when organizers of a prayer event, started distributing free food parcels to the crowds that had attended the event – an outreach program at the Church of Christ’s Olympic Youth Development Center (OYDC) – on Sunday, March 5.
Local media portal, Mwebantu, quoted a police spokesperson, Esther Mwaata Katongo as disclosing that among the dead were six females, one male adult and one male juvenile. Five died on the spot while three died at hospitals where they were rushed for medical attention.
The victims are among the 35,000 which the group called Lesedi seven, had invited for prayers at OYDC. The group had also organized food hampers to distribute to people. This Lesedi seven is a grouping under Church of Christ.
AN outreach program for the Church of Christ at the OYDC in Lusaka ends in a stampede and leaves 8 people dead-Brenda Zulu pic.twitter.com/ctqhdsTsWj
— Mwebantu (@Mwebantu) March 6, 2017
“The victims are among the 35,000 which the group called Lesedi seven, had invited for prayers at OYDC. The group had also organized food hampers to distribute to people. This Lesedi seven is a grouping under Church of Christ.”
The injured persons are said to be receiving treatment at Chingwere first level hospital and Chipata clinic while the bodies of the deceased have been taken to University Teaching Hospital mortuary.
“We have since dispersed the gathering and an inquiry into the matter has been instituted,” the police spokesperson added.
Photo credit: Mwebantu
01:12
Dos Santos' body to be released to widow, returned to Angola
Go to video
Rebels kill soldier, policeman in Cameroon
Go to video
Over 250 escaped DR Congo inmates recaptured
Go to video
Several people killed, 100 hurt in Somaliland opposition protests
00:54
South Africa: Police arrest 20 alleged instigators of July 2021 riots
01:28
Attack in eastern DRC results in the escape of over 800 detainees