ABUJA, Nigeria (AP) - A minimum of 13 people, including four kids, were killed in two different stampedes in Nigeria as big crowds gathered to gather food and clothing products dispersed at annual Christmas occasions, the police said Saturday.
The two mishaps came days after another such stampede in Africa ´ s most populous nation, amidst a growing trend by local companies, churches and people to arrange charity occasions ahead of Christmas, as the nation has problem with the worst cost-of-living crisis in a generation.
Ten individuals 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 been left from the church.
There was a crowd surge at one of the church gates, as lots attempted to enter the facilities at around 4 a.m., hours before the gift items were to be shared, witnesses stated, pointing out that some had been waiting because the previous night.
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"The way they were hurrying to enter, some people were falling and a few of them were old," Loveth Inyang, a witness. Inyang said he managed to rescue one infant as his mom had a hard time in the rise.
Three individuals died in a comparable crush later in the southeastern Anambra state's Okija town at a charity occasion organized by a philanthropist, the state authorities stated.
"The event had not even started when the rush began," police representative Tochukwu Ikenga said. There might be more deaths tape-recorded as officers examine the occurrence, he said.
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Viral footage that appeared to be from the Abuja scene revealed lifeless bodies lying on the ground as individuals yelled for assistance. Some of the injured have actually been dealt with and discharged while others continue to get medical care, police stated.
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The church canceled the charity event with bags of rice and clothes items still set up within the facilities.
As the church held a marital relationship ceremony after the crowd was evacuated, the pain and unhappiness stayed palpable even as families and pals collected for wedding pictures.
Nigeria's President Bola Tinubu revealed his sympathy with the victims' households and asked states and relevant authorities to impose rigorous crowd control measures.
The recent stampedes in Nigeria have about security steps in such events. Several children were killed on Wednesday today when a local structure organized a well-attended funfair to disperse present items and food to kids in southwestern Oyo state.
After the most recent disaster, the police in Abuja announced that prior authorization needs to be acquired before such charity drive are arranged.
The existing economic challenge under Nigerian President Bola Tinubu, who assured "renewed hope" when he was sworn into office in May 2023, is blamed on rising inflation that is at a 28-year high and the government ´ s economic policies that have pushed the regional currency to tape low against the dollar.
Frustration over the cost-of-living crisis has led to mass protests in current months. In August, at least 20 people were shot dead and numerous others were detained at protests demanding better chances and jobs for young individuals.
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