13 People Including Children Die in Stampedes In Nigeria At

ABUJA, Nigeria (AP) – At least 13 individuals, consisting of four children, were killed in two different stampedes in Nigeria as big crowds gathered to collect food and clothing items distributed at annual Christmas occasions, the authorities said Saturday.

The two accidents came days after another such stampede in Africa ´ s most populous country, amid a growing trend by local companies, churches and individuals to organize charity drive ahead of Christmas, as the nation has problem with the worst cost-of-living crisis in a generation.

Ten people were killed in the first stampede in the early hours at the Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Maitama, an upmarket part of the capital, Abuja, authorities spokesman Josephine Adeh stated in a statement, adding that more than 1,000 people have actually been evacuated from the church.

There was a crowd surge at one of the church gates, as dozens tried to get in the facilities at around 4 a.m., hours before the gift products were to be shared, witnesses said, explaining that some had been waiting because the previous night.

“The method they were rushing to enter, some people were falling and some of them were old,” Loveth Inyang, a witness. Inyang said he handled to rescue one baby as his mom struggled in the rise.

Three individuals passed away in a comparable crush later in the southeastern Anambra state’s Okija town at a charity drive organized by a philanthropist, the state cops said.

“The occasion had actually not even begun when the rush began,” authorities spokesperson said. There could be more deaths recorded as officers investigate the incident, he said.

Viral video footage that seemed from the Abuja scene revealed lifeless bodies resting on the ground as people shouted for aid. Some of the hurt have actually been treated and discharged while others continue to receive healthcare, police said.

The church canceled the fundraiser with bags of rice and clothing items still organized within the premises.

As the church held a wedding after the crowd was evacuated, the pain and unhappiness stayed palpable even as families and friends gathered for wedding event photos.

Nigeria’s President Bola Tinubu revealed his compassion with the victims’ families and asked states and relevant authorities to enforce strict crowd control steps.

The recent stampedes in Nigeria have actually raised questions about safety steps in such occasions. Several children were killed on Wednesday this week when a regional foundation organized a well-attended funfair to disperse present items and food to kids in southwestern Oyo state.

After the current disaster, the police in Abuja announced that prior authorization must be obtained before such charity events are arranged.

The existing economic challenge under Nigerian President Bola Tinubu, who assured “renewed hope” when he was sworn into workplace in May 2023, is blamed on rising inflation that is at a 28-year high and the government ´ s financial policies that have actually pushed the regional currency to tape low against the dollar.

Frustration over the cost-of-living crisis has actually resulted in mass demonstrations in recent months. In August, at least 20 individuals were shot dead and hundreds of others were detained at demonstrations demanding better chances and jobs for young people.