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."

Newsletter Stay up to date with Christian Today
News
Royal College of Nursing criticised for display of trans flag
Royal College of Nursing criticised for display of trans flag

Typically a flag denotes the ownership of a tribe or group over an area.

Christians call for ceasefire amid DRC's Ebola crisis
Christians call for ceasefire amid DRC's Ebola crisis

So far 131 people have been killed by the outbreak.

Without a culture shift, Christian street preachers will continue to be arrested
Without a culture shift, Christian street preachers will continue to be arrested

Christian street preachers are almost invariably arrested under a section of law that was originally intended to deal with football hooliganism.

Thoughts on Ruth
Thoughts on Ruth

Jewish academic and Hebrew scholar Irene Lancaster reflects on poor judges and famine through the lens of the book of Ruth.