Not a Christmas Miracle Story: 8 Worshippers Killed as Lightning Struck Church

It is that time of the year when we hear about Christmas miracle stories. We hear how common people are unusually blessed by the mercy of God. Christians tend to feel more religious than ever during this time of the year. Attending church ceremonies is a common practice which is widely believed to reap high spiritual benefits. However, things were a little different in Malawi where eight people were killed by lightning while they were at one of the churches in the locality.

The incident took place in the South-Eastern part of Africa when lightning struck the church in Malawi, according to local media reports. Eight people were killed while several others were left injured in the incident which can only be termed as "divine intervention." It was a regular Saturday afternoon at Area 36 as the Adventists made themselves engaged in worshipping.

The Nyasa Times reports that lightning struck the Seventh Day Adventist church which is situated in the Malawi capital Lilongwe and left several members of the church injured. Heavy rain soaked the major parts of the city following the lightning.

Several members of the Seventh Day Adventist church in the capital Lilongwe were taken to hospital following the strike on Saturday, the Nyasa Times said, citing witnesses, health officials and police. The injured were taken to Kamuzu Central Hospital as people with minor wounds have been treated in the Outpatient department.

One of the eye-witnesses reported that people were attending the service when the church was struck by lightning. He heard a "loud burst" that frightened almost everyone in the church. Shortly after, there was a stampede in the church, he reported.

According to the Nation Police spokesperson, finer details of the incident are yet to be confirmed. Thus, it is not yet clear if people got injured by the lightning or in the stampede as mentioned by one of the eye-witnesses.