Deadly blaze kills 20 in Senegal religious event

Deadly blaze kills 20 in Senegal religious event

Posted at 15:23 13 Apr

At least 20 people have died after a fire broke out at a makeshift prayer centre during a religious event in Senegal's southern city of Kolda, BBC Afrique reports. 
It quickly spread around the site hosting the event, burning down tents that were sheltering thousands of people. 
The death toll is likely to rise as many survivors have been badly burned, the fire brigade said in a statement.
It is unclear what caused the blaze. 
Daaka, which means spiritual retreat in a local dialect, is a worship camp organised by the Tijaniah Order - a branch of Sunni Islam - as a way to promote detachment from mundane interests. 
Crowds of Muslim faithful converge every year on the camp, and fires have regularly disrupted the event in the past, BBC Afrique adds.
Senegal is a majority Muslim country, with religious festivals celebrated at various times throughout the year.