Eleven die in Zimbabwe church stampede- police

At least 11 people died and many were injured in a stampede at a stadium in Zimbabwe as thousands attending a church service tried to leave through the only open exit, police said Friday.

Police said around 15,000 people were packed into the stadium in Kwekwe, 281 kilometres (175 miles) southwest of Harare, on Thursday evening for an event organised by Walter Magaya, a popular preacher who claims to perform miracles.

Provincial police spokesman Shadreck Mubaiwa said when the service ended worshippers rushed to the only exit and four people died during the crush.

Seven others were declared dead on arrival in hospital.

“Because of the pressure, some people fell resulting in the deaths and injuries,” Mubaiwa said.

A witness who spoke on condition of anonymity told AFP: “Common sense did not prevail, especially on the security side.”

Church authorities could not be reached for comment but state television quoted spokeswoman Catherine Nyangoni confirming the deaths and saying that the church was working with the police to establish the cause of the tragedy.