• 목록
• 답변
• 글쓰기
• 게시판 리스트 옵션
  • 수정
  • 삭제

ABUJA, Nigeria (AP) - At least 13 people, including 4 children, were eliminated in 2 different stampedes in Nigeria as big crowds gathered to collect food and clothing items distributed at annual Christmas occasions, the authorities stated Saturday.

The 2 mishaps came days after another such stampede in Africa ´ s most populous nation, amid a growing pattern by regional organizations, churches and individuals to arrange charity drive ahead of Christmas, as the nation has a hard time with the worst cost-of-living crisis in a generation.

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, cops spokesperson Josephine Adeh stated in a declaration, including that more than 1,000 individuals have been evacuated from the church.

There was a crowd surge at one of the church gates, as dozens attempted to go into the premises at around 4 a.m., hours before the gift items were to be shared, witnesses said, mentioning that some had actually been waiting given that the previous night.

"The way they were rushing to enter, some individuals were falling and a few of them were old," Loveth Inyang, a witness. Inyang said he handled to rescue one baby as his mom struggled in the surge.

Three people passed away in a comparable crush later in the southeastern Anambra state's Okija town at a fundraiser organized by a philanthropist, the state police said.

"The occasion had not even begun when the rush started," cops representative Tochukwu Ikenga said. There could be more deaths recorded as officers investigate the occurrence, he stated.

Viral video footage that seemed from the Abuja scene revealed lifeless bodies lying on the ground as people screamed for . Some of the hurt have actually been dealt with and discharged while others continue to get medical care, police stated.

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

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

Nigeria's President Bola Tinubu expressed his sympathy with the victims' families and asked states and relevant authorities to impose rigorous crowd control steps.

The recent stampedes in Nigeria have actually raised questions about precaution in such occasions. Several kids were eliminated on Wednesday today when a regional foundation arranged a well-attended funfair to distribute present items and food to kids in southwestern Oyo state.

After the current disaster, the police in Abuja revealed that previous consent needs to be obtained before such charity drive are arranged.

The current financial hardship 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 regional currency to record low versus the dollar.

Frustration over the cost-of-living crisis has actually resulted in mass protests in recent months. In August, at least 20 people were shot dead and numerous others were jailed at demonstrations demanding better opportunities and jobs for youths.