ABUJA, Nigeria (AP) - A minimum of 13 people, consisting of 4 children, were eliminated in 2 different stampedes in Nigeria as big crowds gathered to collect food and clothes items distributed at annual Christmas events, the cops stated Saturday.
The 2 accidents came days after another such stampede in Africa ´ s most populated nation, amid a growing pattern by local companies, churches and people to arrange fundraiser 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, police spokesperson Josephine Adeh said in a declaration, adding that more than 1,000 individuals have actually been left from the church.
There was a crowd surge at one of the church gates, as dozens tried to enter the facilities at around 4 a.m., hours before the present items were to be shared, witnesses said, explaining that some had been waiting because the previous night.
"The method they were hurrying 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 child as his mother had a hard time in the surge.
Three individuals died in a comparable crush later in the southeastern Anambra state's Okija town at a charity occasion arranged by a philanthropist, the state cops said.
"The occasion had actually not even begun when the rush began," authorities representative Tochukwu Ikenga said. There could be more deaths recorded as officers examine the incident, he said.
Viral video footage that appeared to be from the Abuja scene showed lifeless bodies pushing the ground as for help. A few of the injured have actually been dealt with and released while others continue to get medical care, cops stated.
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The church canceled the charity drive with bags of rice and clothing items still set up within the properties.
As the church held a wedding after the crowd was evacuated, the misery and unhappiness remained palpable even as households and friends collected for wedding photos.
Nigeria's President Bola Tinubu revealed his sympathy with the victims' households and asked states and appropriate authorities to implement rigorous crowd control measures.
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The recent stampedes in Nigeria have raised concerns about safety measures in such events. Several children were eliminated on Wednesday today when a regional structure organized a well-attended funfair to disperse gift items and food to kids in southwestern Oyo state.
After the most recent disaster, the cops in Abuja revealed that previous approval should be gotten before such charity drive are arranged.
The current financial challenge under Nigerian President Bola Tinubu, who promised "restored hope" when he was sworn into office in May 2023, is blamed on surging inflation that is at a 28-year high and the government ´ s financial policies that have pushed the local currency to tape low against the dollar.
Frustration over the cost-of-living crisis has resulted in mass demonstrations in current months. In August, a minimum of 20 people were shot dead and hundreds of others were jailed at protests requiring better chances and jobs for young individuals.
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