ABUJA, Nigeria (AP) - A minimum of 13 people, consisting of four kids, were killed in 2 different stampedes in Nigeria as large crowds collected to gather food and clothes products dispersed at annual Christmas occasions, the authorities said Saturday.

The 2 accidents came days after another such stampede in Africa ´ s most populous country, in the middle of a growing pattern by local companies, churches and individuals to arrange fundraiser ahead of Christmas, as the country battles with the worst cost-of-living crisis in a generation.

Ten people were eliminated in the very first stampede in the early hours at the Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Maitama, an upmarket part of the capital, Abuja, authorities spokesperson Josephine Adeh stated in a statement, including that more than 1,000 people have been evacuated from the church.

There was a crowd surge at one of the church gates, as lots attempted to get in the properties at around 4 a.m., hours before the gift products were to be shared, witnesses said, pointing out that some had been waiting considering that the previous night.

"The way they were hurrying to enter, some people were falling and some of them were old," Loveth Inyang, a witness. Inyang stated he to save one child as his mom had a hard time in the rise.

Three individuals passed away in a comparable crush later in the southeastern Anambra state's Okija town at a charity event arranged by a benefactor, the state cops said.

"The event had actually not even started when the rush started," police representative Tochukwu Ikenga stated. There might 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 individuals shouted for assistance. Some of the injured have actually been dealt with and released while others continue to get healthcare, authorities stated.

The church canceled the fundraiser with bags of rice and clothing products still organized within the properties.

As the church held a marriage ceremony after the crowd was evacuated, the misery and unhappiness stayed palpable even as friends and families collected for wedding pictures.

Nigeria's President Bola Tinubu revealed his compassion with the victims' households and asked states and relevant authorities to implement strict crowd control steps.

The recent stampedes in Nigeria have actually raised concerns about precaution in such occasions. Several children were eliminated on Wednesday today when a local foundation organized a well-attended funfair to distribute present products and food to kids in southwestern Oyo state.

After the most recent disaster, the cops in Abuja announced that previous approval should be acquired before such charity events are arranged.

The existing financial difficulty under Nigerian President Bola Tinubu, who guaranteed "restored hope" when he was sworn into office in May 2023, is blamed on rising inflation that is at a 28-year high and the federal government ´ s economic policies that have pushed the regional currency to tape-record low versus the dollar.

Frustration over the cost-of-living crisis has resulted in mass demonstrations in recent months. In August, at least 20 people were shot dead and numerous others were jailed at protests demanding much better chances and tasks for young people.