Mob burns 11 'witches' to death in Kenya

Belief in witchcraft is widespread across Kenya's western Kisii district, and burnings are not unheard of. But a mass burning on such a scale is rare.

An angry mob has burned to death 11 elderly people accusing them of practicing witchcraft in Kenya's western Kisii district, according to reports Thursday.

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The mob went from house to house and pulled the victims out into the street before setting fire to them and their houses, BBC reported, citing police.

The victims were largely women and were all in their late eighties or early nineties.

Local villagers justified the attack by saying they had found the minutes of a "witches' meeting," which listed the next targets for bewitching.

Police have begun searching for the perpetrators, but made no arrests.

Belief in witchcraft is widespread across the region and burnings are not unheard of. But a mass burning on such a scale is rare.