At least 10 people have been confirmed dead following a stampede at the Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Abuja during the distribution of food items to vulnerable and elderly persons. The tragic incident occurred in the early hours of Saturday, as hundreds of individuals gathered to receive much-needed assistance amid the worsening economic crisis in Nigeria.
Witnesses reported chaotic scenes as the crowd surged forward when church officials began handing out the food packages. The distribution, meant to alleviate the plight of the less privileged, turned deadly as the gathering spiraled out of control. The victims, many of whom were elderly and frail, were caught in the crush and trampled by the panicking crowd.
Emergency responders arrived at the scene shortly after the stampede, transporting injured individuals to nearby hospitals. However, efforts to save the lives of 10 victims were unsuccessful, and they were pronounced dead upon arrival. Several others are still receiving treatment for injuries sustained in the chaos, with some in critical condition.
The Holy Trinity Catholic Church, in collaboration with local charities, has been distributing food and essential supplies to vulnerable groups as part of its outreach programs. Saturday’s event was reportedly organized to cater to the growing number of people facing hunger and poverty in the area.
“This is a heartbreaking and preventable tragedy,” said a church official, speaking anonymously. “We had protocols in place to ensure order, but the sheer volume of people overwhelmed our plans.”
Authorities have launched an investigation into the incident, with preliminary findings suggesting poor crowd management as a key factor. Police have urged community leaders and organizations conducting similar outreach efforts to prioritize crowd control measures and coordinate with law enforcement to avoid future disasters.
The tragedy has sparked outrage and calls for systemic reforms to address the root causes of hunger and poverty in the country. Many Nigerians have taken to social media to express their condolences to the victims' families while condemning the dire socio-economic conditions that force citizens to queue for hours for basic necessities.
As Nigeria grapples with its economic challenges, Saturday’s stampede is a grim reminder of the human cost of the country’s ongoing crisis. Church officials have pledged to assist the affected families while reviewing safety protocols for future events.
blogpay
Total Comments: 0