Police in the city of Yichang in central China's Hubei province said Friday they have detained 42 members of the "Almighty God" religious group since October.

Group members from seven districts and counties in Yichang were apprehended for spreading rumors about an impending doomsday that allegedly occurs on Dec. 21

They were detained for disturbing social order, according to the city's public security bureau.

The group, established in 1990 in central China's Henan province, promises salvation to those who join the group before the "apocalypse" occurs.