More than 30 people die in food and clothing stampede in Nigeria/AP
At least 31 people were killed in a stampede in Nigeria. It is reported that people formed a stampede while distributing charitable aid.
A tragic event occurred in the southern state of Rivers on Saturday May 28th. This was reported to reporters by a representative of the local police.
The Guardian clarifies that the incident occurred at a local club, where the Church of the Assembly of Kings organized a donation campaign “Buy Free”.
On the morning of May 28, hundreds of people came for food. The charity program was supposed to start at 9 am, but dozens of people arrived by 5 am. Policewoman Grace Iring-Koko said that people broke through the closed gate, causing a stampede.
Clothing, shoes and other items intended for well-being can be seen in the video from the scene.
People had been there before and some lost their patience and started to rush, resulting in a stampede. The police are on site monitoring the situation while the investigation is ongoing,” Iring-Koko said.
Note that such charitable actions are common in Nigeria, where, according to government statistics, more than 80 million people live in poverty. Nigeria has also seen similar stampedes in the past. In particular, in 2013, 24 people died in an overcrowded church in the southeastern state of Anambra.
Many children were among the victims
One witness, who gave his name as Daniel, said that many children were among the dead. In particular, 5 children were from the same mother. He also said that a pregnant woman died in a stampede.
According to witness Christopher Eze, some members of the church were attacked and injured by relatives of the victims after the stampede. The church declined to comment on the situation.
In total, 7 people were hospitalized as a result of the incident. Later, dozens of residents gathered at the scene, mourning the dead and offering any possible assistance to the rescuers.
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