A Tanzanian man has lost at least five members of his family in a stampede on Sunday as thousands of people gathered for the funeral of late President John Magufuli.

WuzupNigeria reported that Tanzania held a lying-in-state ceremony for public viewing for the late president at Uhuru stadium in the main city Dar es Salaam on Sunday.

Dennis Mtuwa lost his wife, two children, a nephew and a niece. A house help who was with the family is still missing.

Mr Mtuwa received a call from a stranger who had picked up his wife’s purse at the stadium and he went to a police station and later to a mortuary where he found the bodies.

“These last 24 hours have been really difficult for me. I feel relieved when I’m surrounded by people, but when I’m alone the amount of grief becomes overwhelming,” said Mr Mtuwa.

Some reports suggest that at least 40 people lost their lives, but this has not been confirmed. Dar es Salaam Police Commander Lazaro Mambosasa told the BBC that he will address the issue on Tuesday.

The president’s body was later flown to the capital, Dodoma, where Mr Mugufuli’s official funeral was attended by thousands of people on Monday.

According to reports, Magufuli died last week due to heart-related conditions at the age of 61. (BBC)