Off the wire
• 2nd LD-Writethru: Profits of China's central SOEs surge in Q1  • Uber resumes operations in Taiwan with new business model  • India says Pakistan denies consular access request to meet convicted spy  • Urgent: At least 20 dead in fire at Senegalese religious retreat: local media  • Senior delegation to prepare for Abbas visit to U.S.: PNA official  • France's business start-ups up 2.4 pct in March  • Results of Asian table tennis championships  • Yemen's Houthi court sentences veteran journalist to death  • Indonesia's popular destination of Lombok hosts Int'l cycling championship  • China retrieves sunken treasure linked to leader of ancient uprising  
You are here: 　 Home

1st Ld-Writethru: Fire kills at least 20 in Senegalese religious gathering: local media

Xinhua, April 13, 2017 Adjust font size:

DAKAR, April 13 (Xinhua) - At least 20 people were killed and about 100 wounded in a fire on Wednesday at a Muslim religious gathering in southeastern Senegal's Medina Gounass, local media reported on Thursday.

The gathering, called "Daaka", is a spiritual retreat that attracts thousands of pilgrims every year from Senegal and several countries of the sub region. It took place in the middle of the bush, under the temporary shelters of straw.

The cause of the fire which also ravaged sheds where goods and vehicles were parked has not been determined.

The 2017 edition of Daaka kicked off on Saturday and will continue until April 17. It is scheduled to receive Friday the visit of the Senegalese head of state. Endit