大象传媒

Kenya has been gripped by the story of a starvation cult as detectives continue to dig up mass graves. Authorities say they have now discovered 89 bodies in Shakahola forest, near Malindi. The dead are thought to have been members of the Good News International Church.

It is believed they were persuaded to starve themselves in order to reach heaven before what they were told was going to be the end of the world.

Mathias Shipeta is from Haki Africa, the human-rights organisation, which took the authorities to the grave sites after being tipped off by locals.

He told Newsday they have requested 鈥渕ore air surveillance, low-flying helicopters to actually be able to rescue more victims鈥�, many of whom he says 鈥渉ave travelled a long way, many kilometres to be at that village. Even as we speak鈥� even as we continue with exhumations, we continue receiving more people who are actually still fasting.鈥�

(Picture: A rescued follower (R) from the forest is supported by a volunteer next to the mass-grave site in Shakahola, outside the coastal town of Malindi, Kenya. Credit YASUYOSHI CHIBA/AFP via Getty Images)

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