CARVIS.KR

ABUJA, Nigeria (AP) - A minimum of 13 people, consisting of 4 kids, were killed in 2 different stampedes in Nigeria as big crowds collected to collect food and clothes items dispersed at yearly Christmas events, the cops stated Saturday.

The 2 mishaps came days after another such stampede in Africa ´ s most populated country, amidst a growing pattern by regional organizations, churches and individuals to organize charity occasions ahead of Christmas, as the country struggles 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 said 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 go into the premises at around 4 a.m., hours before the gift items were to be shared, witnesses stated, pointing out that some had been waiting because the previous night.

"The method they were rushing to go into, some people were falling and some of them were old," Loveth Inyang, a witness. Inyang stated he managed to rescue one infant as his mother struggled in the surge.

Three people died in a comparable crush later in the southeastern Anambra state's Okija town at a charity event arranged by a benefactor, the state cops stated.

"The occasion had not even begun when the rush began," police representative Tochukwu Ikenga said. There might be more deaths taped as officers investigate the occurrence, he said.

Viral video that seemed from the Abuja scene showed lifeless bodies resting on the ground as individuals screamed for assistance. A few of the hurt have actually been treated and while others continue to get medical care, police said.

The church canceled the fundraiser with bags of rice and clothes products still set up within the facilities.

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

Nigeria's President Bola Tinubu expressed his compassion with the victims' households and asked states and appropriate authorities to enforce rigorous crowd control measures.

The current stampedes in Nigeria have raised questions about safety measures in such events. Several children were eliminated on Wednesday this week when a local structure organized a well-attended funfair to disperse gift products and food to kids in southwestern Oyo state.

After the current disaster, the authorities in Abuja revealed that prior approval needs to be gotten before such charity drive are organized.

The present economic challenge under Nigerian President Bola Tinubu, who promised "restored 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 actually pressed the local currency to record low against the dollar.

Frustration over the cost-of-living crisis has actually led to mass demonstrations in current months. In August, a minimum of 20 people were shot dead and numerous others were apprehended at protests demanding better chances and tasks for young people.