Monrovia: A raid at a church meeting in the capital of Liberia, Monrovia killed 29 people overnight, deputy minister of information told state radio on Thursday.
The incident occurred during the Christian worship throughout the night in New Kru Town, an environment on the outskirts of the capital, said Tonpo.
“The doctors said 29 people died and some were in the critical list,” Tonpo said, calling the state radio from the nearest hospital.
“This is a sad day for the country.” Morias’s output, a resident who attended the event, told Reuters The Stampede began after a group of gunmen rushed the crowd in an effort to hold a robbery.
“We saw a group of men with cutplasts and other weapons came to the crowd,” said Morias.
“While running, some people fell and others fell to the ground and walked onto them.” The Bands of Liberia Street Gang known as Zogos usually carry out robbery with machetes and other small weapons.
Police spokesman Musa Carter refused to comment on what caused the incident.
He said the investigation was underway.
President George Weah, who was expected to visit the site on Thursday afternoon, stated the three-day period of national mourning and said the Red Cross Circulation and Disaster Liberia had been called to help the victims, his office said.