13 People Including Children Die in Stampedes In Nigeria At > Free Board

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ABUJA, Nigeria (AP) - At least 13 individuals, consisting of 4 children, were killed in 2 separate stampedes in Nigeria as big to gather food and clothing items distributed at yearly Christmas events, the police stated Saturday.

The two accidents came days after another such stampede in Africa ´ s most populous country, in the middle of a growing trend by regional organizations, churches and people to organize fundraiser ahead of Christmas, as the country fights with the worst cost-of-living crisis in a generation.

Ten individuals were eliminated in the 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 said in a statement, including that more than 1,000 people have actually been evacuated from the church.

There was a crowd rise at one of the church gates, as lots tried to enter the facilities at around 4 a.m., hours before the present products were to be shared, witnesses said, explaining that some had actually been waiting because the previous night.

"The method they were hurrying to enter, some people were falling and some of them were old," Loveth Inyang, a witness. Inyang stated he handled to save one child as his mother struggled in the rise.

Three individuals died in a comparable crush later in the southeastern Anambra state's Okija town at a charity drive arranged by a benefactor, the state police said.

"The occasion had not even started when the rush started," authorities spokesman Tochukwu Ikenga said. There might be more deaths tape-recorded as officers investigate the occurrence, he stated.

Viral footage that seemed from the Abuja scene revealed lifeless bodies resting on the ground as people screamed for help. Some of the hurt have actually been treated and released while others continue to receive healthcare, police stated.

The church canceled the charity drive with bags of rice and clothes items still arranged within the premises.

As the church held a marriage ceremony after the crowd was left, the misery and sadness remained palpable even as families and buddies gathered for wedding images.

Nigeria's President Bola Tinubu revealed his sympathy with the victims' families and asked states and pertinent authorities to implement strict crowd control procedures.

The recent stampedes in Nigeria have raised concerns about precaution in such events. Several children were killed on Wednesday this week when a local structure organized a well-attended funfair to disperse present products and food to kids in southwestern Oyo state.

After the current catastrophe, the authorities in Abuja announced that prior authorization must be obtained before such fundraiser are organized.

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

Frustration over the cost-of-living crisis has resulted in mass demonstrations in current months. In August, at least 20 individuals were shot dead and numerous others were arrested at demonstrations demanding better opportunities and jobs for young people.