ABUJA, Nigeria (AP) - A minimum of 13 individuals, including four children, were killed in 2 separate stampedes in Nigeria as big crowds gathered to gather food and clothing items distributed at annual Christmas occasions, the cops said Saturday.
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The 2 mishaps came days after another such stampede in Africa ´ s most populous nation, amidst a growing trend by regional organizations, churches and individuals to organize fundraiser ahead of Christmas, as the country has problem with the worst cost-of-living crisis in a generation.
Ten individuals 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, police spokesperson Josephine Adeh said in a declaration, 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 dozens tried to go into the facilities at around 4 a.m., hours before the present items were to be shared, witnesses stated, pointing out that some had actually been waiting given that the previous night.
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"The way they were rushing to get in, some people were falling and a few of them were old," Loveth Inyang, a witness. Inyang said he handled to rescue one child as his mother had a hard time in the surge.
Three individuals passed away in a comparable crush later in the southeastern Anambra state's Okija town at a charity drive organized by a philanthropist, the state police stated.
"The event had actually not even begun when the rush began," cops spokesperson Tochukwu Ikenga said. There might be more deaths tape-recorded as officers investigate the occurrence, he stated.
Viral video footage that appeared to be from the Abuja scene showed lifeless bodies resting on the ground as people yelled for aid. Some of the injured have been treated and discharged while others continue to receive treatment, police stated.
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The church canceled the fundraiser with bags of rice and clothing items still arranged within the premises.
As the church held a wedding after the crowd was left, the misery and sadness remained palpable even as friends and families collected for wedding pictures.
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 recent stampedes in Nigeria have actually raised concerns about safety measures in such occasions. Several children were eliminated on Wednesday this week when a local structure arranged a well-attended funfair to distribute present items and food to kids in southwestern Oyo state.
After the newest disaster, the authorities in Abuja announced that previous authorization should be gotten before such fundraiser are organized.
The current economic challenge under Nigerian President Bola Tinubu, who guaranteed "restored hope" when he was sworn into workplace in May 2023, is blamed on rising inflation that is at a 28-year high and the federal government ´ s economic policies that have actually pressed the regional currency to tape low versus the dollar.
Frustration over the cost-of-living crisis has resulted in mass demonstrations in current months. In August, a minimum of 20 people were shot dead and numerous others were detained at protests requiring much better and jobs for youths.