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ABUJA, Nigeria (AP) - At least 13 individuals, including four kids, were eliminated in two separate stampedes in Nigeria as big crowds gathered to collect food and clothes products distributed at yearly Christmas events, the authorities stated Saturday.
The two accidents came days after another such stampede in Africa ´ s most populous nation, amid a growing pattern by local organizations, churches and individuals to organize fundraiser ahead of Christmas, as the nation has problem with the worst cost-of-living crisis in a generation.
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Ten people were killed in the first stampede in the early hours at the Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Maitama, an upmarket part of the capital, Abuja, police representative Josephine Adeh stated in a declaration, adding that more than 1,000 people have been left from the church.
There was a crowd rise at one of the church gates, as lots tried to enter the facilities at around 4 a.m., hours before the present items were to be shared, witnesses stated, pointing out that some had been waiting given that the previous night.
"The method they were hurrying to enter, some individuals were falling and a few of them were old," Loveth Inyang, a witness. Inyang said he managed to rescue one child as his mother had a hard time in the rise.
Three people died in a similar crush later on in the state's Okija town at a charity drive organized by a philanthropist, the state authorities stated.
"The occasion had not even begun when the rush began," police spokesman Tochukwu Ikenga stated. There could be more deaths tape-recorded as officers investigate the event, he said.
Viral video that appeared to be from the Abuja scene showed lifeless bodies pushing the ground as individuals yelled for aid. A few of the injured have been treated and released while others continue to get treatment, authorities said.
The church canceled the charity drive with bags of rice and clothes products still arranged within the properties.
As the church held a wedding after the crowd was evacuated, the agony and unhappiness remained palpable even as households and friends collected for wedding photos.
Nigeria's President Bola Tinubu revealed his compassion with the victims' households and asked states and relevant authorities to impose strict crowd control measures.
The current stampedes in Nigeria have actually raised concerns about security measures in such events. Several children were eliminated on Wednesday today when a local structure arranged a well-attended funfair to disperse gift products and food to kids in southwestern Oyo state.
After the current catastrophe, the police in Abuja revealed that prior consent must be obtained before such fundraiser are arranged.
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The existing economic hardship under Nigerian President Bola Tinubu, who assured "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 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 protests in current months. In August, at least 20 people were shot dead and numerous others were detained at protests requiring better chances and tasks for youths.