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

ABUJA, Nigeria (AP) - At least 13 individuals, including 4 kids, were eliminated in two different stampedes in Nigeria as large crowds gathered to gather food and clothes products distributed at yearly Christmas events, the authorities said Saturday.

The 2 accidents came days after another such stampede in Africa ´ s most populated nation, amidst a growing pattern by local companies, churches and people to arrange charity events ahead of Christmas, as the country deals 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 spokesman Josephine Adeh stated in a statement, adding that more than 1,000 individuals have actually been evacuated from the church.

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

"The way they were hurrying to enter, some people were falling and a few of them were old," Loveth Inyang, a witness. Inyang stated he handled to save one infant as his mother had a hard time in the surge.

Three people died in a comparable crush later on in the southeastern Anambra state's Okija town at a charity drive arranged by a philanthropist, the state police stated.

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

Viral video footage that seemed from the Abuja scene revealed lifeless bodies pushing the ground as individuals shouted for assistance. A few of the injured have been dealt with and discharged while others continue to receive medical care, authorities said.

The church canceled the charity occasion with bags of rice and clothes products still set up within the properties.

As the church held a marriage event after the crowd was left, the pain and unhappiness remained palpable even as friends and families collected for wedding images.

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

The current stampedes in Nigeria have actually raised questions about security procedures in such occasions. Several children were killed 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 recent catastrophe, the cops in Abuja announced that prior authorization should be gotten before such charity drive are organized.

The present financial challenge under Nigerian President Bola Tinubu, who assured "restored 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 actually pressed the regional currency to record low against the dollar.

Frustration over the cost-of-living crisis has actually resulted in mass protests in recent months. In August, at least 20 individuals were shot dead and numerous others were detained at demonstrations demanding much better chances and tasks for young individuals.