Eight people died and nine others sustained injuries in a crush at an evangelical gathering in Bujumbura, Burundi’s largest city. The tragic incident occurred on Saturday at a school where prominent Burundian preacher Chris Ndikumana was leading a service. Thousands of people attended the event, which concluded late at night.
Eyewitnesses and police reports indicate that a wall at the exit gate collapsed. Worshippers jostled to leave the venue as the preaching ended, leading to the fatal crush. Neither Ndikumana nor the event organisers have publicly commented on the incident. A teacher from the Senior Technical School of Kamenge, where the gathering took place, told AFP news agency that "there were so many people, and everyone wanted to leave at the same time."
This incident adds to a concerning pattern of crushes at large religious events across the African continent. In 2020, at least 20 people died in Tanzania during an outdoor religious service. Attendees rushed forward to be anointed with blessed oil in that event. In 2022, 31 people died in Nigeria's southern city of Port Harcourt. A church was distributing food to the poor, some of whom had waited overnight. The same year, at least 29 people, including 11 children, were killed in Liberia. Thieves targeted worshippers leaving a large evangelical gathering there.
Police stated that King Khaled Hospital in Bujumbura recorded six deaths. These included five females and one male, with four others receiving treatment. Two additional deaths were recorded at a military hospital, where five patients were treated. Police noted that two people showed physical injuries, while the rest had no signs of trauma. This suggests suffocation was the main cause of death and injuries among the victims.
Chris Ndikumana leads the Kanguka (Wake up) ministry and has a YouTube channel with over a million subscribers. He frequently attracts huge crowds for his services across several African countries. Some of his followers believe he possesses the ability to cure diseases through prayers. The large attendance at his events underscores the significant influence of such religious figures in the region.
The Burundian authorities will likely face pressure to investigate the circumstances surrounding the crush. This includes assessing the safety measures in place at the venue. Event organisers of large public gatherings, especially religious ones, must ensure adequate crowd control and emergency exits. This tragedy serves as a stark reminder of the potential dangers when large crowds are not properly managed. Future events will require stricter adherence to safety protocols to prevent similar loss of life.