13 People Including Children Die in Stampedes In Nigeria At
ABUJA, Nigeria (AP) - At least 13 individuals, including four children, were killed in 2 separate stampedes in Nigeria as big crowds gathered to collect food and clothing items distributed at yearly Christmas events, the police stated Saturday.
The 2 accidents came days after another such stampede in Africa ´ s most populated nation, in the middle of a growing trend by regional organizations, churches and people to arrange charity drive ahead of Christmas, as the nation deals 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, cops 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 attempted to enter the facilities at around 4 a.m., hours before the gift items were to be shared, witnesses said, pointing out that some had been waiting considering that the previous night.
"The way they were hurrying to get in, some individuals were falling and some of them were old," Loveth Inyang, a witness. Inyang said he managed to rescue one baby as his mother had a hard time in the rise.
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Three individuals died in a comparable crush later in the southeastern Anambra state's Okija town at a charity event arranged by a benefactor, the state police stated.
"The event had not even started when the rush started," cops spokesperson Tochukwu Ikenga said. There could be more deaths recorded as officers investigate the incident, he said.
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Viral video footage that appeared to be from the Abuja scene showed lifeless bodies resting on the ground as people screamed for assistance. Some of the hurt have been treated and discharged while others continue to receive treatment, police stated.
The church canceled the fundraiser with bags of rice and clothing products still arranged within the facilities.
As the church held a wedding after the crowd was evacuated, the misery and sadness remained palpable even as families and friends collected for wedding event photos.
Nigeria's President Bola Tinubu expressed his sympathy with the victims' families and asked states and pertinent authorities to implement rigorous crowd control steps.
The current stampedes in Nigeria have actually raised concerns about security steps in such occasions. Several children were killed on Wednesday this week 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 authorities in Abuja announced that previous authorization should be obtained before such charity drive are .
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The current economic hardship under Nigerian President Bola Tinubu, who assured "restored hope" when he was sworn into office in May 2023, is blamed on rising inflation that is at a 28-year high and the federal government ´ s economic policies that have actually pressed the local currency to record low versus the dollar.
Frustration over the cost-of-living crisis has resulted in mass protests in current months. In August, at least 20 individuals were shot dead and hundreds of others were arrested at protests requiring much better opportunities and jobs for young individuals.