The shocking incident reportedly happened during a Pentecostal service at a stadium in the northern town of Moshi in Tanzania.

On Saturday evening, hundreds of worshippers thronged the stadium to partake in the outdoor religious event.

The BBC reports that the service was held by pastor Boniface Mwamposa, who refers to himself as "the apostle".

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The pastor is said to have asked his congregants to pass through an area where "blessed oil" had been poured over the floor.

This led to a stampede when hundreds from the crowd rushed towards the area in a bid to get their share of the anointing.

One of the attendees of the service, Peter Kilewo, described the scene as "horrible", adding that people were "trampled on mercilessly, jostling each other with elbows".

"It was like the preacher had thrown bundles of dollars about,” Peter is further quoted as saying.

Meanwhile, Pastor Mwamposa is currently in the grip of the Tanzanian police and is being interrogated over the incident.

"The incident took place at night and there were many people, so there is a possibility that more casualties could emerge. We are assessing the situation," the Moshi district commissioner Kippi Warioba told Reuters.

Tanzania's President John Magufuli has also sent his condolences to the families of the victims and called for better security at such events.