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ABUJA, Nigeria (AP) - At least 13 individuals, including 4 children, were killed in two separate stampedes in Nigeria as big crowds collected to collect food and clothes products distributed at annual Christmas events, the authorities said Saturday.
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The two accidents came days after another such stampede in Africa ´ s most populous country, amid a growing pattern by regional organizations, churches and people to arrange fundraiser ahead of Christmas, as the country has problem with the worst cost-of-living crisis in a generation.
Ten people were killed in the very first stampede in the early hours at the Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Maitama, an upmarket part of the capital, Abuja, police spokesman Josephine Adeh stated in a statement, including that more than 1,000 individuals have been left from the church.
There was a crowd surge at one of the church gates, as dozens attempted to get in the facilities at around 4 a.m., hours before the gift items were to be shared, witnesses said, mentioning that some had been waiting since the previous night.
"The way they were rushing to get in, some individuals were falling and a few of them were old," Loveth Inyang, a witness. Inyang stated he handled to rescue one baby as his mom struggled in the surge.
Three people died in a comparable crush later on in the southeastern Anambra state's Okija town at a charity drive organized by a philanthropist, the state authorities stated.
"The event had actually not even begun when the rush began," authorities spokesman Tochukwu Ikenga stated. There might be more deaths recorded as officers investigate the event, he stated.
Viral video that appeared to be from the Abuja scene revealed lifeless bodies lying on the ground as individuals shouted for help. A few of the hurt have actually been dealt with and discharged while others continue to receive medical care, authorities said.
The church canceled the charity occasion with bags of rice and clothing items still arranged within the facilities.
As the church held a marriage ceremony after the crowd was left, the misery and sadness remained palpable even as families and good friends gathered for wedding event images.
Nigeria's President Bola Tinubu revealed his compassion with the victims' families and asked states and relevant authorities to impose stringent crowd control measures.
The current stampedes in Nigeria have raised questions about precaution in such events. Several kids were eliminated on Wednesday today when a regional foundation organized a well-attended funfair to disperse gift items and food to kids in southwestern Oyo state.
After the current disaster, the cops in Abuja announced that prior approval should be acquired before such charity drive are arranged.
The present economic challenge under Nigerian President Bola Tinubu, who promised "restored hope" when he was sworn into workplace in May 2023, is blamed on surging inflation that is at a 28-year high and the federal government ´ s financial policies that have pressed the local currency to record low against the dollar.
over the cost-of-living crisis has resulted in mass demonstrations in recent months. In August, at least 20 people were shot dead and hundreds of others were apprehended at demonstrations demanding better chances and jobs for young people.
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