ABUJA, Nigeria (AP) - A minimum of 13 individuals, including four children, were killed in 2 different stampedes in Nigeria as big crowds collected to collect food and clothes products dispersed at annual Christmas occasions, the police stated Saturday.

The 2 mishaps came days after another such stampede in Africa ´ s most populous country, amidst a growing pattern by local organizations, churches and individuals to organize fundraiser ahead of Christmas, as the nation deals with the worst cost-of-living crisis in a generation.

Ten people 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, authorities representative Josephine Adeh said in a declaration, including that more than 1,000 individuals have actually been left from the church.
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There was a crowd surge at one of the church gates, as dozens tried to enter the properties at around 4 a.m., hours before the gift items were to be shared, witnesses said, explaining that some had been waiting considering that the previous night.

"The way they were rushing to go into, some people were falling and a few of them were old," Loveth Inyang, a witness. Inyang stated he handled to rescue one baby as his mother had a hard time in the rise.
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Three people 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 cops said.
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"The occasion had not even started when the rush started," police spokesman Tochukwu Ikenga stated. There might be more deaths recorded as officers examine the occurrence, he stated.

Viral video that appeared to be from the Abuja scene revealed lifeless bodies lying on the ground as people yelled for help. Some of the injured have actually been dealt with and discharged while others continue to receive medical care, cops said.

The church canceled the charity drive with bags of rice and clothing items still arranged within the facilities.

As the church held a marriage ceremony after the crowd was evacuated, the agony and sadness remained palpable even as friends and families collected for wedding photos.

Nigeria's President Bola Tinubu revealed his compassion with the victims' households and asked states and appropriate authorities to implement strict crowd control steps.

The recent stampedes in Nigeria have actually raised concerns about safety procedures in such events. Several kids were killed on Wednesday this week when a regional foundation organized a well-attended funfair to distribute and food to kids in southwestern Oyo state.

After the latest catastrophe, the authorities in Abuja announced that prior authorization needs to be obtained before such charity drive are arranged.

The present economic challenge under Nigerian President Bola Tinubu, who guaranteed "restored hope" when he was sworn into workplace in May 2023, is blamed on rising inflation that is at a 28-year high and the federal government ´ s economic policies that have actually pushed the regional currency to tape low versus the dollar.

Frustration over the cost-of-living crisis has resulted in mass demonstrations in current 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.