ABUJA, Nigeria (AP) - A minimum of 13 people, including four children, were eliminated in two different stampedes in Nigeria as big crowds collected to collect food and clothes products distributed at yearly Christmas occasions, the authorities stated Saturday.

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

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

There was a crowd surge at one of the church gates, as dozens attempted to enter the properties at around 4 a.m., hours before the present items were to be shared, witnesses stated, pointing out that some had actually been waiting considering that the previous night.

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

Three people died in a similar crush later on in the southeastern Anambra state's Okija town at a charity drive arranged by a benefactor, the state police stated.

"The event had actually not even started when the rush began," police spokesman Tochukwu Ikenga stated. There could be more deaths recorded as officers investigate the incident, he stated.

Viral video footage that seemed from the Abuja scene showed lifeless bodies resting on the ground as people screamed for help. Some of the injured have actually been dealt with and discharged while others continue to get medical care, cops said.

The church canceled the charity drive with bags of rice and clothing items still arranged within the properties.

As the church held a marriage event after the crowd was left, the misery and sadness remained palpable even as households and buddies collected for wedding pictures.

Nigeria's President Bola Tinubu expressed his compassion with the victims' families and asked states and appropriate authorities to implement rigorous crowd control measures.

The recent stampedes in Nigeria have actually raised questions about safety procedures in such events. Several children were eliminated on Wednesday today when a regional foundation organized a well-attended funfair to distribute gift products and food to kids in southwestern Oyo state.

After the most recent disaster, the authorities in Abuja announced that prior authorization needs to be obtained before such fundraiser are arranged.

The present financial difficulty under Nigerian President Bola Tinubu, who assured "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 actually pushed the regional currency to tape low versus the dollar.

Frustration over the cost-of-living crisis has actually resulted in mass demonstrations in current months. In August, at least 20 individuals were shot dead and numerous others were arrested at protests requiring better opportunities and tasks for young people.