Children among 29 killed in stampede at Christian revival

Monrovia, the capital city of Liberia, West Africa. (Photo: Getty/iStock)

At least 29 people were killed, including 11 children, at a stampede during an all-night crusade in Liberia on Wednesday.

The open air gathering was held at a Pentecostal church in the New Kru Town neighbourhood on the outskirts of capital city, Monrovia. 

The revival was being hosted by Liberian preacher Apostle Abraham Kromah, of World of Life Outreach International. 

Some of the survivors were critically injured. 

In the wake of the tragedy, President George Weah announced three days of mourning. 

"This is a sad day for the country," Deputy Information Minister Jalawah Tonpo told state radio.

Police officials told the BBC that the stampede was triggered by a street gang entering the revival after a collection of offerings.

One person who had been at the event, Exodus Morias, told Reuters that the gang members were armed.

"We saw a group of men with cutlasses and other weapons coming toward the crowd," Morias said. 

"While running, some people dropped and others fell on the ground and walked over them."

News
Richard Moth appointed as new Archbishop of Westminster
Richard Moth appointed as new Archbishop of Westminster

Bishop Richard Moth has been confirmed as the new Archbishop of Westminster, the most senior post in the Catholic Church in England and Wales. 

The mystery of the Wise Men
The mystery of the Wise Men

The carol assures us that “We three kings of Orient are…” and tells us they were “following yonder star”. Can we be sure there were three of them? Were they kings? Where in the Orient were they from? What was the star they followed? In fact, there is a lot that we just do not know. This is the story …

English Heritage deletes debunked claims about pagan origins of Christmas Day
English Heritage deletes debunked claims about pagan origins of Christmas Day

English Heritage has admitted it got it wrong when it shared false claims that the date of Christmas is derived from a pagan Roman festival in honour of a sun god.

Guinness Book of Records recognises 'the world’s longest serving Sunday School teacher'
Guinness Book of Records recognises 'the world’s longest serving Sunday School teacher'

Pam Knowles started helping out her church Sunday school in 1951 at the age of 13.