ABUJA, Nigeria (AP) - At least 13 people, consisting of four children, were killed in 2 different stampedes in Nigeria as large crowds gathered to gather food and clothing products distributed at annual Christmas occasions, the authorities stated Saturday.

The 2 accidents came days after another such stampede in Africa ´ s most populated nation, amidst a growing trend by local organizations, churches and people to arrange charity occasions ahead of Christmas, as the country has problem 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, adding that more than 1,000 individuals have been left from the church.

There was a crowd surge at one of the church gates, as dozens attempted to go into the facilities at around 4 a.m., hours before the present products were to be shared, witnesses stated, pointing out that some had been waiting given that the previous night.

"The method they were rushing to enter, some people were falling and a few of them were old," Loveth Inyang, a witness. Inyang said he handled to save one baby as his mom struggled in the surge.

Three individuals died in a comparable crush later in the southeastern Anambra state's Okija town at a charity drive organized by a benefactor, the state police said.

"The event had not even started when the rush began," cops spokesman Tochukwu Ikenga said. There might be more deaths tape-recorded as officers investigate the event, he stated.

Viral video footage that seemed from the Abuja scene revealed lifeless bodies pushing the ground as people yelled for aid. Some of the hurt have actually been treated and released while others continue to get healthcare, cops stated.

The church canceled the charity occasion with bags of rice and clothing items still set up within the facilities.

As the church held a marriage event after the crowd was left, the pain and sadness remained palpable even as households and friends gathered for wedding event photos.

Nigeria's President Bola Tinubu expressed his compassion with the victims' families and asked states and appropriate authorities to enforce strict crowd control procedures.

The current stampedes in Nigeria have actually raised questions about safety steps in such occasions. Several children were eliminated on Wednesday this week when a local structure organized a well-attended funfair to disperse gift items and food to kids in southwestern Oyo state.

After the current catastrophe, the police in Abuja revealed that previous permission needs to be acquired before such charity drive are organized.

The current economic 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 led to mass protests in recent months. In August, a minimum of 20 individuals were shot dead and hundreds of others were arrested at demonstrations requiring better chances and tasks for youths.