DAR ES SALAAM: At least 20 people died and over a dozen injured in a stampede during a church service in northern Tanzania.

Hundreds of people attending the service in a stadium in Moshi town near crushed each other as they rushed to get anointed with the ‘blessed oil’, international media reports have said.

Moshi district commissioner Kippi Warioba said twenty people, including 5 children, died and 16 others injured in the accident.

According to Moshi, the stampede happened when worshippers were rushing to get anointed with the blessed oil.

Authorities, however, fear that the toll could rise due to the size of the crowd.

(With inputs from Agencies)