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Deadly crush at Timbuktu mosque Deadly crush at Timbuktu mosque
(about 3 hours later)
Sixteen people, mostly women and children, have been killed in a crush at the famous Djinguereber mosque in Timbuktu, sources have told the BBC. Twenty-six people, mostly women and children, have been killed in a crush at the famous Djinguereber mosque in Timbuktu, sources have told the BBC.
The crush happened during the Mouloud festival to mark the birth of the Prophet Muhammad, when people walk around the mud mosque in northern Mali.The crush happened during the Mouloud festival to mark the birth of the Prophet Muhammad, when people walk around the mud mosque in northern Mali.
The worshippers had to use a different path than usual because of renovations to the 14th Century building.The worshippers had to use a different path than usual because of renovations to the 14th Century building.
Timbuktu, in the Sahara Desert, was once a centre of Islamic learning.Timbuktu, in the Sahara Desert, was once a centre of Islamic learning.
Saving Timbuktu's heritage Timbuktu salt caravans under threatSaving Timbuktu's heritage Timbuktu salt caravans under threat
Initial reports said that 16 people had died but local officials have subsequently told the BBC that a further 10 bodies were recovered at the scene and buried by their families without going to hospital.
According to Muslim tradition, people should be buried with 24 hours of their death.
One report says the crush happened when an elderly woman fell down while thousands of people were attempting to circle the mosque three times.One report says the crush happened when an elderly woman fell down while thousands of people were attempting to circle the mosque three times.
Some 40 people were injured, the police say, according to Reuters news agency.Some 40 people were injured, the police say, according to Reuters news agency.
"I lost my sister. She was 16 and had gone to pray," said local resident, Ali Kounta, reports the AFP news agency."I lost my sister. She was 16 and had gone to pray," said local resident, Ali Kounta, reports the AFP news agency.
The Djinguereber mosque is the largest in Timbuktu.The Djinguereber mosque is the largest in Timbuktu.
The once wealthy city helped spread Islam across West Africa.The once wealthy city helped spread Islam across West Africa.
Its fortunes declined after the 16th Century, as the region's main trade routes switched to the Atlantic Ocean, instead of the Sahara Desert.Its fortunes declined after the 16th Century, as the region's main trade routes switched to the Atlantic Ocean, instead of the Sahara Desert.