News, views and top stories in your inbox. Don't miss our must-read newsletter Sign up Thank you for subscribing We have more newsletters Show me See our privacy notice Invalid Email

Lightning has struck a church in Malawi, killing eight worshippers and injuring a number of others.

Several members of a Seventh Day Adventist church in the Malawian capital Lilongwe were admitted to hospital.

One witness said: “I first heard a loud burst which frightened almost everybody and a few minutes later I just saw a stampede.”

Charles Mwansambo, chief of health services in the ministry of health, said: “The worshippers were having an extended session of Saturday prayers when lightning struck their church at around 4.30pm.”

It was not immediately clear whether those injured had been struck by the lightning or were crushed in the panic to escape.

Daily Mirror e-edition: How to get yours for FREE