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ABUJA, (AP) - At least 13 individuals, consisting of four kids, were killed in two separate stampedes in Nigeria as big crowds collected to collect food and clothes products distributed at yearly Christmas events, the cops said Saturday.
The two accidents came days after another such stampede in Africa ´ s most populated nation, in the middle of a growing trend by regional companies, churches and people to arrange charity events ahead of Christmas, as the country battles with the worst cost-of-living crisis in a generation.
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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, authorities representative Josephine Adeh stated in a statement, including that more than 1,000 people have actually been left from the church.
There was a crowd surge at one of the church gates, as lots attempted to get in the premises at around 4 a.m., hours before the present products were to be shared, witnesses stated, explaining that some had actually been waiting because the previous night.
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"The method they were hurrying to go into, some individuals were falling and some of them were old," Loveth Inyang, a witness. Inyang said he managed to rescue one baby as his mother struggled in the rise.
Three individuals passed away in a similar crush later on in the southeastern Anambra state's Okija town at a charity drive arranged by a philanthropist, the state police said.
"The event had actually not even begun when the rush began," authorities spokesman Tochukwu Ikenga stated. There might be more deaths taped as officers examine the event, he stated.
Viral footage that appeared to be from the Abuja scene revealed lifeless bodies lying on the ground as individuals shouted for help. Some of the injured have actually been treated and discharged while others continue to receive treatment, cops stated.
The church canceled the fundraiser with bags of rice and clothes items still arranged within the properties.
As the church held a marriage event after the crowd was evacuated, the pain and unhappiness stayed palpable even as households and friends gathered for wedding images.
Nigeria's President Bola Tinubu expressed his sympathy with the victims' households and asked states and relevant authorities to enforce rigorous crowd control steps.
The recent stampedes in Nigeria have raised questions about security procedures in such occasions. Several kids were killed on Wednesday today when a local foundation organized a well-attended funfair to disperse gift items and food to kids in southwestern Oyo state.
After the current disaster, the police in Abuja announced that prior approval should be obtained before such charity events are organized.
The current economic hardship under Nigerian President Bola Tinubu, who assured "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 government ´ s financial policies that have pressed the local currency to record low versus the dollar.
Frustration over the cost-of-living crisis has resulted in mass demonstrations in recent months. In August, a minimum of 20 people were shot dead and numerous others were apprehended at protests requiring much better chances and jobs for youths.