ABUJA, Nigeria (AP) - At least 13 individuals, consisting of four kids, were eliminated in 2 separate stampedes in Nigeria as big crowds collected to collect food and clothing products distributed at yearly Christmas events, the authorities stated Saturday.

The two mishaps came days after another such stampede in Africa ´ s most populous nation, amid a growing pattern by regional companies, churches and people to organize charity drive ahead of Christmas, as the country has problem with the worst cost-of-living crisis in a generation.

Ten people were killed in the very first stampede in the early hours at the Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Maitama, an upmarket part of the capital, Abuja, cops spokesman Josephine Adeh said in a declaration, including that more than 1,000 individuals have actually been evacuated from the church.

There was a crowd surge at one of the church gates, as lots attempted to enter the facilities at around 4 a.m., hours before the gift products were to be shared, witnesses said, pointing out that some had been waiting because the previous night.
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"The method they were hurrying to enter, some people were falling and a few of them were old," Loveth Inyang, a witness. Inyang said he managed to save one infant as his mom had a hard time in the rise.

Three individuals passed away in a similar crush later on in the southeastern Anambra state's Okija town at a charity drive arranged by a benefactor, the state authorities said.
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"The event had actually not even begun when the rush began," authorities spokesperson Tochukwu Ikenga said. There could be more deaths recorded as officers investigate the event, he said.

Viral footage that appeared to be from the Abuja scene revealed lifeless bodies pushing the ground as people yelled for aid. A few of the hurt have been treated and discharged while others continue to receive healthcare, authorities said.
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The church canceled the charity drive with bags of rice and clothes products still arranged within the facilities.

As the church held a wedding after the crowd was evacuated, the agony and unhappiness stayed palpable even as friends and families gathered for wedding event images.

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

The current stampedes in Nigeria have actually raised concerns about security steps in such events. Several kids were killed on Wednesday this week when a regional foundation organized a well-attended funfair to disperse present items and food to kids in southwestern Oyo state.

After the current disaster, the authorities in Abuja announced that prior permission must be acquired before such fundraiser are organized.

The existing financial challenge 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 government ´ s financial policies that have actually pressed the regional currency to tape-record low versus the dollar.

Frustration over the cost-of-living crisis has actually caused mass protests in recent months. In August, at least 20 people were shot dead and hundreds of others were at protests requiring better chances and jobs for youths.