ABUJA, Nigeria (AP) - At least 13 people, consisting of 4 kids, were killed in two different stampedes in Nigeria as large crowds gathered to collect food and clothes items distributed at annual Christmas events, the police stated Saturday.
The two mishaps came days after another such stampede in Africa ´ s most populous country, amidst a growing trend by local organizations, churches and individuals to arrange fundraiser ahead of Christmas, as the country deals 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 stated in a declaration, including that more than 1,000 individuals have actually been evacuated from the church.
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There was a crowd surge at one of the church gates, as lots tried to get in the premises at around 4 a.m., hours before the present products were to be shared, witnesses said, explaining that some had been waiting given that the previous night.
"The method they were rushing to enter, some people were falling and a few of them were old," Loveth Inyang, a witness. Inyang stated he handled to save one baby as his mom struggled in the surge.
Three individuals died in a similar crush later on in the southeastern Anambra state's Okija town at a charity drive arranged by a philanthropist, the state authorities said.
"The occasion had not even started when the rush began," cops spokesperson Tochukwu Ikenga stated. There might be more deaths tape-recorded as officers investigate the incident, he stated.
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Viral video that seemed from the Abuja scene showed lifeless bodies resting on the ground as people screamed for aid. Some of the hurt have actually been treated and discharged while others continue to receive healthcare, police stated.
The church canceled the fundraiser with bags of rice and clothes items still set up within the premises.
As the church held a wedding after the crowd was left, the agony and sadness remained palpable even as households and good friends gathered for wedding pictures.
Nigeria's President Bola Tinubu expressed his compassion with the victims' families and asked states and relevant authorities to impose strict crowd control measures.
The current stampedes in Nigeria have raised questions about security procedures in such events. Several children were killed on Wednesday today when a local foundation arranged a to distribute present items and food to kids in southwestern Oyo state.
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After the most current disaster, the cops in Abuja revealed that prior authorization must be obtained before such charity events are arranged.
The existing financial difficulty under Nigerian President Bola Tinubu, who assured "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 federal government ´ s economic policies that have pressed the regional currency to tape-record low versus the dollar.
Frustration over the cost-of-living crisis has actually resulted in mass protests in recent months. In August, at least 20 people were shot dead and numerous others were detained at protests requiring better chances and tasks for youths.
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