ABUJA, Nigeria (AP) - At least 13 individuals, consisting of 4 kids, were killed in two different stampedes in Nigeria as large crowds collected to gather food and clothes products distributed at yearly Christmas occasions, the authorities said Saturday.

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

Ten people were killed in the 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 declaration, including that more than 1,000 individuals have been left from the church.

There was a crowd rise at one of the church gates, as lots attempted to enter the premises at around 4 a.m., hours before the gift products were to be shared, witnesses stated, explaining that some had been waiting since the previous night.

"The way they were rushing to get in, some individuals were falling and some of them were old," Loveth Inyang, a witness. Inyang said he managed to save one baby as his mom had a hard time in the surge.

Three people passed away in a similar crush later on in the southeastern Anambra state's Okija town at a charity occasion arranged by a benefactor, the state authorities said.

"The occasion had actually not even begun when the rush began," police spokesman Tochukwu Ikenga said. There might be more deaths recorded as officers investigate the incident, he stated.

Viral video that seemed from the Abuja scene showed lifeless bodies lying on the ground as people screamed for aid. Some of the injured have actually been dealt with and discharged while others continue to receive healthcare, cops stated.

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

As the church held a marriage ceremony after the crowd was left, the misery and unhappiness stayed palpable even as households and pals gathered for wedding event images.

Nigeria's President Bola Tinubu revealed his sympathy with the victims' households and asked states and pertinent authorities to impose strict crowd control measures.

The current stampedes in Nigeria have raised concerns about precaution in such occasions. Several children were eliminated on Wednesday this week when a local foundation organized a well-attended funfair to distribute gift items and food to kids in southwestern Oyo state.

After the newest disaster, the cops in Abuja revealed that previous permission needs to be obtained before such charity drive are organized.

The present economic challenge under Nigerian President Bola Tinubu, who assured "renewed hope" when he was sworn into workplace in May 2023, is blamed on rising inflation that is at a 28-year high and the federal government ´ s financial policies that have actually pushed the local currency to record low versus the dollar.

Frustration over the cost-of-living crisis has led to mass demonstrations in current months. In August, at least 20 individuals were shot dead and hundreds of others were apprehended at protests requiring better chances and jobs for youths.