ABUJA, Nigeria (AP) - A minimum of 13 people, consisting of 4 kids, were eliminated in 2 different stampedes in Nigeria as large crowds collected to collect food and clothing products distributed at yearly Christmas events, the police stated Saturday.

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

Ten individuals 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, police representative Josephine Adeh said in a declaration, including 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 go into the properties at around 4 a.m., hours before the present products were to be shared, witnesses said, mentioning that some had actually been waiting since the previous night.

"The way they were rushing to get in, some people were falling and some of them were old," Loveth Inyang, a witness. Inyang stated he managed to save one child as his mom struggled in the rise.

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

"The event had not even begun when the rush began," authorities spokesman Tochukwu Ikenga stated. There could be more deaths taped as officers investigate the incident, he said.

Viral video that appeared to be from the Abuja scene showed lifeless bodies lying on the ground as people yelled for help. A few of the injured have actually been treated and released while others continue to receive medical care, authorities said.

The church canceled the fundraiser with bags of rice and clothes items still arranged within the facilities.

As the church held a marriage ceremony after the crowd was left, the agony and sadness remained palpable even as friends and families collected for wedding event pictures.

Nigeria's President Bola Tinubu expressed his sympathy with the victims' households and asked states and relevant authorities to impose rigorous crowd control steps.

The current stampedes in Nigeria have actually raised questions about safety steps in such events. Several children were eliminated on Wednesday this week when a local structure arranged a well-attended funfair to distribute present products and food to kids in southwestern Oyo state.

After the most current disaster, the authorities in Abuja revealed that prior approval should be obtained before such charity occasions are organized.

The existing financial difficulty under Nigerian President Bola Tinubu, who guaranteed "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 economic policies that have actually pushed the regional currency to record low against the dollar.

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