Eight people lost their lives and nine others sustained injuries following a deadly crush at an evangelical gathering in Bujumbura, Burundi's largest city, on July 18. The incident occurred at the Senior Technical School of Kamenge, where popular Burundian preacher Chris Ndikumana was hosting a large-scale religious event.
Wall Collapse Triggers Chaos at Exit
According to eyewitnesses and police, a wall at the exit collapsed as thousands of worshippers attempted to leave the venue simultaneously after the late-night service ended. The ensuing chaos led to people being trampled. A teacher at the school told AFP, "There were so many people and everyone wanted to leave at the same time. It was late at night."
Deaths Recorded at Two Hospitals
In a statement, police reported that King Khaled Hospital in Bujumbura received six of the deceased—five females and one male—along with four injured individuals receiving treatment. Two additional deaths were recorded at a military hospital, where five patients were also treated. According to the BBC, officers noted that only two of the injured showed visible physical wounds, while the rest had no outward signs of trauma, indicating suffocation as the primary cause of both deaths and injuries.
Preacher and Organizers Remain Silent
Neither Ndikumana nor the event organizers had publicly commented on the incident as of the time of this report. Ndikumana leads the Kanguka ministry, meaning "Wake up," and draws large crowds across several African countries. His YouTube channel boasts over one million subscribers, and many followers believe he possesses the ability to heal illnesses through prayer.
History of Crowd Crushes at Religious Events
Crowd crushes at religious gatherings have claimed lives across Africa on multiple occasions. In 2020, at least 20 people died in neighboring Tanzania when attendees rushed forward to receive blessed oil during an outdoor service.
