‘Gangsters’ attack Christian worshippers in Liberia leaving 29 dead, including 11 children

More than two dozen people are dead – including 11 children – after an attack that appeared to target a Christian “crusade” event in the African republic of Liberia, according to DailyMail.com.

The death toll in the Jan. 19 attack, which caused a stampede killed at least 29 people. A pregnant woman was also among the victims.

Witnesses said gangsters allegedly attacked the gathering with machetes. Hundreds of worshippers had come together in the Liberian capital of Monrovia, in a beach area called New Kru Town.

A police spokesman said the death toll was not final and “may increase.” The spokesman said that only one person was arrested, and that he was carrying a knife. Pictures posted on the Internet appeared to show the aftermath of the stampede, with piles of abandoned shoes and other belongings.

Liberia’s Deputy Information Minister Jalawah Tonpo reported the same death toll during a call with state radio from a nearby hospital, and said that some survivors “are on the critical list.”

“This is a sad day for the country,” Tonpo said.

Organized by an influential pastor, the event was called a “Christian prayer gathering” – known in Liberia as a “crusade” – by local media. The venue was an athletic field.

President George Weah was to have visited the scene on Jan. 20, according to Liberian media reports.