ABUJA, Nigeria (AP) - A minimum of 13 people, consisting of four children, were eliminated in 2 separate stampedes in Nigeria as big crowds gathered to collect food and clothing products distributed at annual Christmas events, the authorities stated Saturday.

The 2 accidents came days after another such stampede in Africa ´ s most populous country, in the middle of a growing trend by regional organizations, churches and people to arrange fundraiser ahead of Christmas, as the country deals with the worst cost-of-living crisis in a .

Ten individuals were eliminated 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 representative Josephine Adeh said in a declaration, adding 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 lots attempted to enter the properties at around 4 a.m., hours before the present products were to be shared, witnesses said, pointing out that some had been waiting given that the previous night.
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"The method they were rushing to enter, some individuals were falling and a few of them were old," Loveth Inyang, a witness. Inyang stated he managed to rescue one infant as his mom struggled in the rise.

Three individuals died in a similar crush later on in the southeastern Anambra state's Okija town at a charity drive arranged by a philanthropist, the state cops said.

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

Viral footage that appeared to be from the Abuja scene showed lifeless bodies resting on the ground as individuals shouted for aid. A few of the injured have been dealt with and discharged while others continue to receive healthcare, police said.

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

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

Nigeria's President Bola Tinubu expressed his compassion with the victims' families and asked states and relevant authorities to enforce stringent crowd control procedures.

The recent stampedes in Nigeria have actually raised concerns about security procedures in such events. Several children were eliminated on Wednesday this week when a regional structure arranged a well-attended funfair to disperse gift products and food to kids in southwestern Oyo state.

After the most recent catastrophe, the cops in Abuja revealed that previous permission should be gotten before such fundraiser are arranged.
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The present economic hardship under Nigerian President Bola Tinubu, who guaranteed "restored 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 pressed the regional currency to tape low against the dollar.

Frustration over the cost-of-living crisis has resulted in mass demonstrations in recent months. In August, a minimum of 20 individuals were shot dead and numerous others were arrested at demonstrations requiring better chances and tasks for youths.
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