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ABUJA, Nigeria (AP) - At least 13 individuals, consisting of four children, were killed in two different in Nigeria as large crowds gathered to collect food and clothing products distributed at annual Christmas occasions, the authorities stated Saturday.
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The 2 mishaps came days after another such stampede in Africa ´ s most populated nation, amidst a growing trend by regional companies, churches and people to organize fundraiser ahead of Christmas, as the country deals with the worst cost-of-living crisis in a generation.
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, police spokesman Josephine Adeh said in a declaration, including that more than 1,000 people have been left from the church.
There was a crowd surge at one of the church gates, as dozens attempted to enter the premises at around 4 a.m., hours before the present products were to be shared, witnesses stated, mentioning that some had been waiting given that the previous night.
"The way they were hurrying to get in, some people were falling and a few of them were old," Loveth Inyang, a witness. Inyang stated he managed to save one child as his mom struggled in the rise.
Three people passed away in a comparable crush later in the southeastern Anambra state's Okija town at a charity event arranged by a benefactor, the state police stated.
"The event had actually not even begun when the rush began," authorities representative Tochukwu Ikenga said. There might be more deaths recorded as officers investigate the incident, he said.
Viral footage that seemed from the Abuja scene showed lifeless bodies lying on the ground as individuals screamed for aid. A few of the injured have actually been dealt with and released while others continue to get treatment, cops said.
The church canceled the charity drive with bags of rice and clothes products still set up within the premises.
As the church held a wedding after the crowd was evacuated, the agony and sadness stayed palpable even as families and good friends collected for wedding images.
Nigeria's President Bola Tinubu expressed his sympathy with the victims' families and asked states and pertinent authorities to enforce stringent crowd control procedures.
The recent stampedes in Nigeria have actually raised concerns about precaution in such events. Several children were killed on Wednesday this week when a local structure organized a well-attended funfair to distribute present items and food to kids in southwestern Oyo state.
After the latest disaster, the police in Abuja announced that previous consent needs to be gotten before such charity drive are organized.
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The current economic difficulty 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 federal government ´ s financial policies that have pressed the regional currency to tape low against the dollar.
Frustration over the cost-of-living crisis has actually resulted in mass protests in current months. In August, a minimum of 20 individuals were shot dead and numerous others were apprehended at demonstrations requiring better chances and jobs for youths.