Lightning kills nine in a Mozambique church

Since the rainy season began in Mozambique in October last year, several people have lost their lives.

In a recent incident, it is reported that at least nine people have died and about five or more injured after a lightning struck in Chire, in the Morrumbala district, in central Mozambique.

On Sunday, the victims were in a church for a religious mass when the sad incident occurred.

District Administrator Pedro Sapange said the wounded victims are still receiving treatment.

This rainy season has been filled with lightning strikes followed by heavy rains that have taken several lives and injured many.

Whereas some have perished in natural disasters such as lightning strikes, a stampede involving church worshippers in neighbouring Tanzania has killed at least 20 people after the enthusiastic crowd gathered to receive “holy oil”.

The outdoor religious service happened in the northern town of Moshi on Saturday evening at the Arise and Shine Ministry Tanzania.

A popular preacher, Boniface Mwamposa, whose congregation calls him “Apostle” led the prayer ceremony. Al-Jazeera reports that Mwamposa alleged that his holy oil could solve the problems of his congregants.

Mwamposa then poured the oil on the ground and the people ruched to take a touch.

Peter Kilwelo, a witness, was quoted by AFP saying: “People trampled on mercilessly, jostling each other with elbows.”

“It was like the preacher had thrown bundles of dollars about … and there were all these deaths!”

Apart from the dead, 16 people have also been reported injured. Meanwhile, the police is questioning Mwamposa to help with investigations.

President John Magufuli has sent his condolences to the bereaved.

Tanzania has a majority Christian population with most people identifying with Pentecostal denominations.

The country is also home to an exuberant tradition of “miracle-working” Christianity as well as the phenomenon of prosperity gospel.