FREETOWN, Sierra Leone (Reuter) - A stampede at a church service in Sierra Leone killed eight people and injured 26, witnesses and a hospital pathologist said Saturday. The stampede, at the Jesus is Lord Church in the capital Freetown late Friday, came at the end of a week-long healing crusade, one worshipper said. The cause of the incident was not immediately clear. "The eight deaths from the church accident have been registered and labelled at the Connaught Hospital," senior pathologist Arthur Williams told Reuters. He said the dead, trampled in the crush, were mostly women, one of whom was pregnant, but also included two young boys. One worshipper, Yeabu Mansary, 25, said thousands were jammed into the church with many more worshippers outside. "I am a member of the church. It has the largest Christian following in Sierra Leone today," she added. The church is led by a Mrs. Dora Dumbuya, who is reputed to have healing powers. Agnes Bangura, a member of the church choir, said military leader Valentine Strasser attended the church on the opening day of the healing crusade. One report quoted by the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) said worshippers tried to flee fearing part of the building was collapsing. Another report said worshippers outside tried to push their way inside after lightning flashed. Nurse Francis Conteh said all but four of the injured had been discharged. REUTER

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Leonard Novarro, Church stampede kills eight in Sierra Leone., Reuters, 10-14-1995.