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ABUJA, Nigeria (AP) - A minimum of 13 people, including four children, were killed in 2 different stampedes in Nigeria as big crowds collected to collect food and clothing items dispersed at annual Christmas events, the authorities stated Saturday.

The two accidents came days after another such stampede in Africa ´ s most populous country, amid a growing pattern by local companies, churches and people 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 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 actually been evacuated from the church.

There was a crowd surge at one of the church gates, as dozens attempted to get in the properties at around 4 a.m., hours before the present items were to be shared, witnesses said, explaining that some had been waiting since the previous night.

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

Three people died in a comparable crush later in the southeastern Anambra state's Okija town at a charity occasion arranged by a philanthropist, the state police said.

"The occasion had not even begun when the rush began," cops representative Tochukwu Ikenga said. There might be more deaths tape-recorded as officers examine the event, he said.

Viral video that appeared to be from the Abuja scene showed lifeless bodies pushing the ground as individuals screamed for assistance. Some of the hurt have been dealt with and released while others continue to get medical care, authorities said.

The church canceled the fundraiser with bags of rice and clothes products still set up within the premises.

As the church held a wedding after the crowd was evacuated, the agony and unhappiness remained palpable even as friends and families gathered for wedding pictures.

Nigeria's President Bola Tinubu revealed his sympathy with the victims' households and asked states and appropriate authorities to enforce strict crowd control procedures.

The recent stampedes in Nigeria have raised concerns about security measures in such events. Several kids were killed on Wednesday today when a local foundation organized a well-attended funfair to disperse gift items and food to kids in southwestern Oyo state.

After the current catastrophe, the cops in Abuja announced that previous authorization needs to be acquired before such charity occasions are organized.

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

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