ABUJA, Nigeria (AP) - A minimum of 13 people, consisting of four children, were killed in 2 different stampedes in Nigeria as big crowds collected to collect food and clothes items distributed at yearly Christmas events, the authorities said Saturday.
The two accidents came days after another such stampede in Africa ´ s most populated country, amid a growing trend by local organizations, churches and people to arrange charity drive ahead of Christmas, as the country fights with the worst cost-of-living crisis in a generation.
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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, police spokesman Josephine Adeh stated in a statement, including that more than 1,000 individuals have been evacuated from the church.
There was a crowd rise at one of the church gates, as lots attempted to enter the premises at around 4 a.m., hours before the present products were to be shared, witnesses stated, pointing out that some had actually been waiting because the previous night.
"The way they were rushing to enter, some people were falling and some of them were old," Loveth Inyang, a witness. Inyang said he handled to rescue one child as his mom struggled in the surge.
Three people died in a similar crush later in the southeastern Anambra state's Okija town at a charity event arranged by a benefactor, the state police said.
"The occasion had not even started when the rush started," authorities spokesman Tochukwu Ikenga stated. There could be more deaths recorded as officers examine the incident, he said.
Viral video that appeared to be from the Abuja scene revealed lifeless bodies pushing the ground as individuals yelled for help. A few of the hurt have actually been dealt with and released while others continue to receive treatment, cops stated.
The church canceled the fundraiser with bags of rice and clothes products still within the facilities.
As the church held a wedding after the crowd was left, the agony and unhappiness stayed palpable even as households and friends collected for wedding photos.
Nigeria's President Bola Tinubu expressed his sympathy with the victims' families and asked states and appropriate authorities to implement strict crowd control steps.
The current stampedes in Nigeria have raised questions about security measures in such events. Several children were eliminated on Wednesday today when a regional foundation arranged a well-attended funfair to disperse gift items and food to kids in southwestern Oyo state.
After the newest disaster, the cops in Abuja announced that previous consent must be acquired before such charity events are organized.
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The present economic hardship under Nigerian President Bola Tinubu, who assured "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 government ´ s economic policies that have actually pushed the local currency to tape-record low against the dollar.
Frustration over the cost-of-living crisis has caused mass protests in recent months. In August, at least 20 individuals were shot dead and hundreds of others were apprehended at protests demanding much better chances and tasks for young people.
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