ABUJA, Nigeria (AP) - At least 13 people, consisting of four children, were killed in 2 different stampedes in Nigeria as big crowds collected to collect food and clothing products distributed at annual Christmas occasions, the authorities stated Saturday.
The 2 mishaps came days after another such stampede in Africa ´ s most populated nation, in the middle of a growing trend by local organizations, churches and people to arrange charity occasions ahead of Christmas, as the nation battles 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, cops spokesperson Josephine Adeh said in a declaration, including that more than 1,000 individuals have been left from the church.
There was a crowd rise at one of the church gates, as dozens tried to go into the facilities at around 4 a.m., hours before the gift items were to be shared, witnesses said, pointing out that some had actually been waiting since the previous night.
"The method they were hurrying to go into, some people were falling and some of them were old," Loveth Inyang, a witness. Inyang stated he handled to rescue one infant as his mother struggled in the rise.
Three people passed away in a similar crush later in the southeastern Anambra state's Okija town at a fundraiser arranged by a philanthropist, the state police stated.
"The event had actually not even started when the rush began," cops spokesperson Tochukwu Ikenga said. There might be more deaths recorded as officers investigate the occurrence, he stated.
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Viral video that seemed from the Abuja scene showed lifeless bodies resting on the ground as individuals screamed for help. Some of the injured have been dealt with and released while others continue to get healthcare, police said.
The church canceled the charity occasion with bags of rice and clothing items still arranged within the premises.
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As the church held a marriage event after the crowd was left, the agony and sadness stayed palpable even as families and buddies collected for wedding event pictures.
Nigeria's President Bola Tinubu revealed his sympathy with the victims' households and asked states and relevant authorities to enforce stringent crowd control measures.
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The recent stampedes in Nigeria have raised questions about precaution in such occasions. Several kids were eliminated on Wednesday today when a regional foundation organized a well-attended funfair to disperse present products and food to kids in southwestern Oyo state.
After the most recent disaster, the authorities in Abuja revealed that previous approval should be obtained before such charity drive are organized.
The current financial difficulty under Nigerian President Bola Tinubu, who guaranteed "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 ´ s financial policies that have pressed the local currency to record low against the dollar.
Frustration over the cost-of-living crisis has actually caused mass demonstrations in current months. In August, at least 20 people were shot dead and hundreds of others were apprehended at protests demanding much better chances and tasks for youths.