Tanzania at least 20 people were killed and dozens more injured in a stampede in a stadium while winning blessing oil.

Hundreds of people gathered in a stadium in the town of Moshi, near the famous slopes of Mount Kilimanjaro in northern Tanzania on February 1. These people trampled on each other as they hurriedly ran to get an "blessing oil."

"20 people were killed and 16 were injured in the stampede," district commissioner Moshi Kippi Warioba said today. Among the victims there are 5 children.

Tanzanian officials fear the death toll could be greater due to the size of the crowds and the trampling that occurred at night.

Local priest Boniface Mwamposa attracts huge crowds by promising prosperity and healing for those who walk on what he describes as "blessing oil" at the ceremonies.

A growing number of "prosperous priests" have emerged in Tanzania in recent years, who promise to help people escape poverty and perform what they call a "miraculous remedy".

Thousands of people in this 55 million African nation flock to Pentecostal churches. They are the main source of income for these churches as they have to contribute 10% of their income regularly.