ABUJA, Nigeria (AP) - At least 13 individuals, including four children, were killed in 2 separate stampedes in Nigeria as large crowds gathered to collect food and clothing products distributed at annual Christmas events, the cops stated Saturday.
The two mishaps came days after another such stampede in Africa ´ s most populated country, amid a growing pattern by local companies, churches and people to organize charity drive ahead of Christmas, as the country has a hard time with the worst cost-of-living crisis in a generation.
Ten people were eliminated in the first stampede in the early hours at the Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Maitama, an upmarket part of the capital, Abuja, cops representative Josephine Adeh stated in a statement, adding 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 go into the properties at around 4 a.m., hours before the present products were to be shared, witnesses stated, explaining that some had been waiting because the previous night.
"The way they were hurrying to get in, some people were falling and a few of them were old," Loveth Inyang, a witness. Inyang stated he managed to save one infant as his mom had a hard time in the surge.
Three people died in a comparable crush later on in the southeastern Anambra state's Okija town at a charity occasion organized by a philanthropist, the state authorities stated.
"The occasion had not even begun when the rush started," cops spokesperson Tochukwu Ikenga stated. There could be more deaths taped as officers investigate the occurrence, he said.
Viral video that appeared to be from the Abuja scene showed lifeless bodies pushing the ground as individuals screamed for help. A few of the injured have actually been treated and discharged while others continue to receive medical care, authorities stated.
The church canceled the charity event with bags of rice and clothes products still organized within the properties.
As the church held a marital relationship ceremony after the crowd was left, the pain and unhappiness stayed palpable even as families and good friends collected for wedding event images.
Nigeria's President Bola Tinubu revealed his compassion with the victims' households and asked states and relevant authorities to implement strict crowd control procedures.
The current stampedes in Nigeria have actually raised questions about precaution in such events. Several kids were killed on Wednesday this week when a local foundation arranged a well-attended funfair to distribute gift items and food to kids in southwestern Oyo state.
After the latest disaster, the authorities in Abuja revealed that prior approval must be obtained before such charity events are organized.
The existing financial difficulty under Nigerian President Bola Tinubu, who guaranteed "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 government ´ s financial policies that have pressed the regional currency to tape low against the dollar.
Frustration over the cost-of-living crisis has actually led to mass protests in recent months. In August, a minimum of 20 individuals were shot dead and hundreds of others were apprehended at demonstrations demanding better chances and tasks for young individuals.
13 People Including Children Die in Stampedes In Nigeria At
by Iona Fairchild (2024-12-27)
ABUJA, Nigeria (AP) - At least 13 individuals, including four children, were killed in 2 separate stampedes in Nigeria as large crowds gathered to collect food and clothing products distributed at annual Christmas events, the cops stated Saturday.
The two mishaps came days after another such stampede in Africa ´ s most populated country, amid a growing pattern by local companies, churches and people to organize charity drive ahead of Christmas, as the country has a hard time with the worst cost-of-living crisis in a generation.
Ten people were eliminated in the first stampede in the early hours at the Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Maitama, an upmarket part of the capital, Abuja, cops representative Josephine Adeh stated in a statement, adding 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 go into the properties at around 4 a.m., hours before the present products were to be shared, witnesses stated, explaining that some had been waiting because the previous night.
"The way they were hurrying to get in, some people were falling and a few of them were old," Loveth Inyang, a witness. Inyang stated he managed to save one infant as his mom had a hard time in the surge.
Three people died in a comparable crush later on in the southeastern Anambra state's Okija town at a charity occasion organized by a philanthropist, the state authorities stated.
"The occasion had not even begun when the rush started," cops spokesperson Tochukwu Ikenga stated. There could be more deaths taped as officers investigate the occurrence, he said.
Viral video that appeared to be from the Abuja scene showed lifeless bodies pushing the ground as individuals screamed for help. A few of the injured have actually been treated and discharged while others continue to receive medical care, authorities stated.
The church canceled the charity event with bags of rice and clothes products still organized within the properties.
As the church held a marital relationship ceremony after the crowd was left, the pain and unhappiness stayed palpable even as families and good friends collected for wedding event images.
Nigeria's President Bola Tinubu revealed his compassion with the victims' households and asked states and relevant authorities to implement strict crowd control procedures.
The current stampedes in Nigeria have actually raised questions about precaution in such events. Several kids were killed on Wednesday this week when a local foundation arranged a well-attended funfair to distribute gift items and food to kids in southwestern Oyo state.
After the latest disaster, the authorities in Abuja revealed that prior approval must be obtained before such charity events are organized.
The existing financial difficulty under Nigerian President Bola Tinubu, who guaranteed "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 government ´ s financial policies that have pressed the regional currency to tape low against the dollar.
Frustration over the cost-of-living crisis has actually led to mass protests in recent months. In August, a minimum of 20 individuals were shot dead and hundreds of others were apprehended at demonstrations demanding better chances and tasks for young individuals.