ABUJA, Nigeria (AP) - At least 13 individuals, consisting of four children, were eliminated in 2 different stampedes in Nigeria as large crowds collected to collect food and clothes items dispersed at annual Christmas events, the police stated Saturday.
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The two accidents came days after another such stampede in Africa ´ s most populous country, amid a growing pattern by local organizations, churches and individuals to organize charity drive ahead of Christmas, as the country has problem 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, cops spokesman Josephine Adeh stated in a statement, adding that more than 1,000 people have actually been evacuated from the church.
There was a crowd rise at one of the church gates, as lots attempted to go into the properties at around 4 a.m., hours before the present items were to be shared, witnesses said, explaining that some had been waiting because the previous night.
"The way they were rushing to enter, some individuals were falling and a few of them were old," Loveth Inyang, a witness. Inyang stated he managed to save one infant as his mom struggled in the surge.
Three individuals passed away in a comparable crush later in the southeastern Anambra state's Okija town at a fundraiser organized by a philanthropist, the state cops stated.
"The occasion had actually not even started when the rush started," cops spokesperson Tochukwu Ikenga stated. There might be more deaths recorded as officers examine the occurrence, he said.
Viral footage that seemed from the Abuja scene revealed lifeless bodies lying on the ground as people screamed for help. Some of the injured have been treated and released while others continue to receive treatment, police said.
The church canceled the charity drive with bags of rice and clothes items still set up within the facilities.
As the church held a marriage event after the crowd was evacuated, the agony and sadness remained palpable even as friends and families gathered for wedding event images.
Nigeria's President Bola Tinubu expressed his sympathy with the victims' families and asked states and relevant authorities to impose rigorous crowd control procedures.
The recent stampedes in Nigeria have actually raised concerns about in such events. Several children were killed on Wednesday today when a local foundation arranged a well-attended funfair to distribute present items and food to kids in southwestern Oyo state.
After the current disaster, the authorities in Abuja announced that prior authorization should be acquired before such charity drive are arranged.
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The existing economic difficulty under Nigerian President Bola Tinubu, who promised "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 federal government ´ s economic policies that have pushed the local currency to record low versus the dollar.
Frustration over the cost-of-living crisis has led to mass demonstrations in recent months. In August, a minimum of 20 people were shot dead and numerous others were detained at demonstrations demanding better opportunities and tasks for youths.