13 People Including Children Die in Stampedes In Nigeria At > 자유게시판

ABUJA, Nigeria (AP) - A minimum of 13 people, including 4 children, were eliminated in two separate stampedes in Nigeria as big crowds collected to collect food and clothing items dispersed at yearly Christmas occasions, the police stated Saturday.

The two mishaps came days after another such stampede in Africa ´ s most populated nation, in the middle of a growing pattern by local companies, churches and individuals to arrange charity occasions ahead of Christmas, as the nation has problem 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, authorities spokesperson Josephine Adeh said in a declaration, adding that more than 1,000 individuals have actually been evacuated from the church.

There was a crowd surge 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, mentioning that some had actually been waiting considering that the previous night.

"The way they were rushing to enter, some people 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 individuals died in a similar crush later in the southeastern Anambra state's Okija town at a fundraiser organized by a philanthropist, the state police stated.

"The occasion had not even started when the rush began," cops spokesman Tochukwu Ikenga stated. There might be more deaths taped as officers investigate the occurrence, he stated.

Viral video footage that appeared to be from the Abuja scene showed lifeless bodies lying on the ground as individuals shouted for help. A few of the hurt have been treated and discharged while others continue to receive treatment, cops said.

The church canceled the charity with bags of rice and clothes items still organized within the properties.

As the church held a wedding after the crowd was evacuated, the pain and unhappiness stayed palpable even as friends and families gathered for wedding images.

Nigeria's President Bola Tinubu expressed his sympathy with the victims' households and asked states and relevant authorities to impose stringent crowd control measures.

The current stampedes in Nigeria have raised questions about security measures in such occasions. Several kids were eliminated on Wednesday this week when a local foundation arranged a well-attended funfair to distribute present products and food to kids in southwestern Oyo state.

After the most current disaster, the cops in Abuja revealed that previous approval should be acquired before such charity events are organized.

The present economic challenge under Nigerian President Bola Tinubu, who assured "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 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 detained at demonstrations demanding better opportunities and jobs for youths.