Eight people died and nine others were injured in a stampede during a prayer gathering in Bujumbura, Burundi, over the past weekend. The tragic incident occurred as thousands of attendees gathered for religious services in the nation's largest city. The event, organized by evangelist Chris Ndikumana, drew a substantial crowd, leading to the devastating crush. Authorities are currently investigating the circumstances surrounding the tragedy, which resulted in multiple fatalities and injuries.
Deadly Wall Collapse and Stampede
A wall near the entrance of the ETS Kamenge technical school stadium collapsed during the incident. The collapse occurred as attendees were attempting to exit the venue following the prayer gathering. Reports indicate that some individuals were crushed by the falling wall, while others were subsequently trampled by the surging crowd attempting to flee the chaos. The combination of the wall collapse and the ensuing stampede resulted in multiple casualties.
Of those affected, six of the deceased, comprising five women and one man, were received at Roi Khaled hospital in Bujumbura. At this medical facility, four other individuals received treatment for injuries sustained during the event. Additionally, two other people died at the military hospital after being transported there for treatment. Five other individuals received medical care at the same military hospital for injuries sustained during the event, bringing the total number of injured to nine. Authorities are continuing their investigation into the precise sequence of events that led to the collapse and subsequent stampede, aiming to understand how such a tragedy could have occurred.
Evangelist's Following and Past Incidents
Evangelist Chris Ndikumana commands a substantial following, with his YouTube channel 'Kanguka' garnering over a million subscribers. Ndikumana addressed the incident, expressing profound sorrow. "Ariko rero mu nyuma twumvise amakuru atubwira ko hari abantu bavuye mu gikorane bagira ikibazo, bagira isanganya. Hari abakomeretse, hari n'ababuze ubuzima... Vyaratubabaje cane" (But later we heard news that there were people who left the gathering and had a problem, an accident. Some were injured, and some lost their lives... It saddened us greatly), he stated. He further added, "Turiko turabasengera. Kandi turahojeje gose imiryango yabuze" (We are praying for them. And we sincerely comfort the bereaved families), offering condolences to those who lost loved ones.
Similar tragic incidents have occurred at religious gatherings across Africa, noting the risks associated with large crowds at such events. In 2020, a stampede in Tanzania resulted in the deaths of at least 20 people during a gathering where blessed oil was being distributed. Another incident in 2022 saw 31 people die in Port Harcourt, Nigeria, during a church event focused on distributing food to the poor. These previous events show the critical need for strong crowd management and safety protocols at large-scale religious assemblies.
Organizer's Response and Witness Account
The prayer gathering that ended in tragedy was organized by evangelist Chris Ndikumana and drew thousands of attendees, eager to participate in the religious services. The scale of the gathering likely contributed to the challenges in managing the crowd, particularly during the exit. The immediate aftermath saw medical personnel and emergency services responding to the scene, transporting the injured to local hospitals.
Chris Ndikumana reiterated his sorrow and sympathy for the victims and their families. "Ariko rero mu nyuma twumvise amakuru atubwira ko hari abantu bavuye mu gikorane bagira ikibazo, bagira isanganya. Hari abakomeretse, hari n'ababuze ubuzima... Vyaratubabaje cane" (But later we heard news that there were people who left the gathering and had a problem, an accident. Some were injured, and some lost their lives... It saddened us greatly), he conveyed, expressing the deep impact of the incident. He added, "Turiko turabasengera. Kandi turahojeje gose imiryango yabuze" (We are praying for them. And we sincerely comfort the bereaved families), extending spiritual and emotional support. In 2022, a similar incident in Liberia saw at least 29 people, including 11 children, die after robbers attacked individuals leaving a large evangelistic crusade, further illustrating the diverse dangers that can accompany such significant gatherings.
