ABUJA, Nigeria (AP) - At least 13 people, consisting of 4 children, were killed in two different stampedes in Nigeria as big crowds collected to collect food and clothing items distributed at yearly Christmas occasions, the police said Saturday.
The two accidents came days after another such stampede in Africa ´ s most populated country, in the middle of a growing pattern by local organizations, churches and individuals to arrange fundraiser ahead of Christmas, as the nation fights with the worst cost-of-living crisis in a generation.
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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, authorities spokesman Josephine Adeh stated in a statement, that more than 1,000 people have actually been left from the church.
There was a crowd rise at one of the church gates, as lots attempted to get in the properties at around 4 a.m., hours before the gift products were to be shared, witnesses said, pointing out that some had actually been waiting considering that the previous night.
"The method they were hurrying to enter, some individuals were falling and a few of them were old," Loveth Inyang, a witness. Inyang stated he managed to save one child as his mother struggled in the surge.
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Three people died in a similar crush later on in the southeastern Anambra state's Okija town at a fundraiser arranged by a benefactor, the state authorities stated.
"The event had actually not even started when the rush started," cops spokesman Tochukwu Ikenga said. There might be more deaths tape-recorded as officers investigate the incident, he said.
Viral footage that appeared to be from the Abuja scene showed lifeless bodies lying on the ground as individuals shouted for help. Some of the injured have been treated and discharged while others continue to receive healthcare, cops said.
The church canceled the charity drive with bags of rice and clothes items still set up within the properties.
As the church held a marriage event after the crowd was evacuated, the misery and sadness stayed palpable even as households and friends gathered for wedding event photos.
Nigeria's President Bola Tinubu expressed his compassion with the victims' households and asked states and appropriate authorities to enforce rigorous crowd control procedures.
The recent stampedes in Nigeria have raised questions about safety procedures in such events. Several children were killed on Wednesday today when a regional foundation organized a well-attended funfair to distribute present items and food to kids in southwestern Oyo state.
After the current disaster, the police in Abuja revealed that previous approval should be obtained before such charity occasions are arranged.
The existing economic hardship 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 federal government ´ s economic policies that have actually pushed the regional currency to record low versus the dollar.
Frustration over the cost-of-living crisis has actually led to mass demonstrations in current months. In August, a minimum of 20 individuals were shot dead and numerous others were detained at demonstrations requiring much better opportunities and jobs for young people.
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13 People Including Children Die in Stampedes In Nigeria At
alfredp9825553 edited this page 2024-12-22 08:40:53 -08:00