It was announced that the event would begin at 9 a.m. Saturday. But people arrived as early as five in the morning. People broke through the gate, which was locked due to congestion.
Abuja, First Published May 29, 2022, 3:09 PM IST
Abuja: At least 31 people have been killed in a stampede at a Christian church charity event in southern Nigeria. Several people were injured. The accident happened at an event organized to help the poor. The dead included a pregnant woman and several children, AFP reported, citing eyewitnesses. Police spokeswoman Grace Irinj Koko said the victims were attending a “shop for free” charity event organized by the King’s Assembly Pentecostal Church in Reverse State.
It was announced that the event would begin at 9 a.m. Saturday. But people arrived as early as five in the morning. People broke through the gate, which was locked due to congestion. Authorities said the bodies of the victims were taken out and transferred to the mortuary. Security forces were deployed in the area.
Many people gathered in the area following the incident. The injured were given emergency treatment. Clothing, shoes and other items were brought in for free distribution. Eyewitnesses said most of the dead were children. A pregnant woman was also killed. There was also an attack during the incident. The church declined to comment on the incident. In 2013, 24 people were killed in a church fire in the southeastern state of Anambra.
Last Updated May 29, 2022, 3:09 PM IST
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