关于我们

13 People Including Children Die in Stampedes In Nigeria At

ABUJA, Nigeria (AP) - At least 13 individuals, including four kids, were killed in 2 different stampedes in Nigeria as large crowds gathered to gather food and clothing products distributed at yearly Christmas events, the police stated Saturday.

The 2 accidents came days after another such stampede in Africa ´ s most populous nation, amid a growing trend by local companies, 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, police spokesman Josephine Adeh stated in a statement, adding that more than 1,000 people have been left from the church.

There was a crowd rise at one of the church gates, as dozens attempted to get in the properties at around 4 a.m., hours before the gift items were to be shared, witnesses stated, pointing out that some had been waiting given that the previous night.

"The method they were hurrying to get in, some individuals were falling and some of them were old," Loveth Inyang, a witness. Inyang stated he handled to rescue one baby as his mother struggled in the surge.

Three people died in a similar crush later on in the southeastern Anambra Okija town at a charity occasion arranged by a philanthropist, the state authorities said.

"The event had not even begun when the rush began," authorities representative Tochukwu Ikenga stated. There might be more deaths tape-recorded as officers examine the event, he said.

Viral video that appeared to be from the Abuja scene revealed lifeless bodies resting on the ground as people screamed for help. A few of the hurt have actually been treated and released while others continue to get medical care, authorities said.

The church canceled the fundraiser with bags of rice and clothing items still arranged within the facilities.

As the church held a wedding after the crowd was evacuated, the misery and unhappiness remained palpable even as friends and families collected for wedding pictures.

Nigeria's President Bola Tinubu expressed his sympathy with the victims' families and asked states and appropriate authorities to enforce stringent crowd control measures.

The recent stampedes in Nigeria have raised questions about precaution in such events. Several kids were eliminated on Wednesday this week when a local structure organized a well-attended funfair to distribute gift items and food to kids in southwestern Oyo state.

After the most recent disaster, the cops in Abuja revealed that prior consent must be acquired before such charity drive are organized.

The existing economic challenge under Nigerian President Bola Tinubu, who promised "renewed 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 financial policies that have pressed the regional currency to record low against the dollar.

Frustration over the cost-of-living crisis has caused mass demonstrations in current 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.