ABUJA, Nigeria (AP) - At least 13 people, consisting of 4 children, were eliminated in two separate stampedes in Nigeria as large crowds gathered to gather food and clothes items dispersed at yearly Christmas occasions, the police stated Saturday.

The 2 accidents came days after another such stampede in Africa ´ s most populated country, in the middle of a growing pattern by regional companies, churches and people to arrange charity occasions 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 eliminated in the first stampede in the early hours at the Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Maitama, an upmarket part of the capital, Abuja, authorities spokesman Josephine Adeh said in a declaration, adding that more than 1,000 individuals have been evacuated from the church.

There was a crowd rise at one of the church gates, as lots attempted to enter the facilities at around 4 a.m., hours before the present items were to be shared, witnesses said, pointing out that some had been waiting given that the previous night.
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"The way they were hurrying to enter, some people were falling and a few of them were old," Loveth Inyang, a witness. Inyang stated he managed to rescue one child as his mom struggled in the rise.
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Three people passed away in a comparable crush later in the southeastern Anambra state's Okija town at a fundraiser organized by a benefactor, the state police said.

"The occasion had actually not even begun when the rush started," authorities spokesman Tochukwu Ikenga stated. There might be more deaths taped as officers examine the event, he said.

Viral video footage that seemed from the Abuja scene showed lifeless bodies resting on the ground as people screamed for help. A few of the hurt have been dealt with and discharged while others continue to get healthcare, cops said.

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

As the church held a marriage event after the crowd was evacuated, the misery and sadness remained palpable even as households and pals gathered for wedding images.

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

The recent stampedes in Nigeria have actually raised questions about precaution in such occasions. Several children were killed on Wednesday today when a local structure arranged a well-attended funfair to disperse present products and food to kids in southwestern Oyo state.

After the most recent catastrophe, the cops in Abuja announced that prior consent needs to be obtained before such drive are arranged.

The present 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 government ´ s economic policies that have actually pushed the regional currency to tape low against the dollar.

Frustration over the cost-of-living crisis has actually led to mass protests in recent months. In August, a minimum of 20 individuals were shot dead and hundreds of others were apprehended at protests requiring better chances and tasks for youths.