ABUJA, Nigeria (AP) - At least 13 people, consisting of 4 children, were eliminated in two different stampedes in Nigeria as big crowds gathered to collect food and clothes products dispersed at yearly Christmas occasions, the police said Saturday.
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The 2 accidents came days after another such stampede in Africa ´ s most populated country, amid a growing trend by regional companies, churches and individuals to organize charity drive ahead of Christmas, as the nation fights with the worst cost-of-living crisis in a generation.

Ten individuals were in the first stampede in the early hours at the Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Maitama, an upmarket part of the capital, Abuja, cops spokesperson Josephine Adeh said in a declaration, including that more than 1,000 individuals have actually been left from the church.

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

"The way they were rushing to enter, some people were falling and a few of them were old," Loveth Inyang, a witness. Inyang said he managed to rescue one child as his mom had a hard time in the rise.

Three individuals passed away in a similar crush later on in the southeastern Anambra state's Okija town at a fundraiser organized by a philanthropist, the state authorities stated.

"The event had actually not even begun when the rush began," authorities spokesperson Tochukwu Ikenga stated. There could be more deaths taped as officers examine the occurrence, he said.

Viral video that seemed from the Abuja scene revealed lifeless bodies pushing the ground as individuals shouted for aid. Some of the hurt have actually been treated and discharged while others continue to receive medical care, cops said.

The church canceled the fundraiser with bags of rice and clothing items still set up within the properties.

As the church held a marital relationship event after the crowd was left, the misery and sadness stayed palpable even as households and pals gathered for wedding pictures.

Nigeria's President Bola Tinubu revealed his compassion with the victims' households and asked states and pertinent authorities to implement stringent crowd control procedures.
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The current stampedes in Nigeria have raised concerns about precaution in such occasions. Several kids were eliminated on Wednesday this week when a local structure arranged a well-attended funfair to disperse gift products and food to kids in southwestern Oyo state.

After the most recent catastrophe, the police in Abuja announced that prior permission needs to be acquired before such fundraiser are arranged.

The existing financial challenge under Nigerian President Bola Tinubu, who promised "renewed hope" when he was sworn into office in May 2023, is blamed on surging inflation that is at a 28-year high and the federal government ´ s economic policies that have actually pushed the local currency to tape-record low versus the dollar.

Frustration over the cost-of-living crisis has actually resulted in mass demonstrations in recent months. In August, a minimum of 20 people were shot dead and numerous others were apprehended at demonstrations demanding better opportunities and jobs for young individuals.
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