ABUJA, Nigeria (AP) - At least 13 people, including four children, were eliminated in 2 separate stampedes in Nigeria as large crowds collected to collect food and clothing products distributed at yearly Christmas occasions, the authorities said Saturday.

The 2 accidents came days after another such stampede in Africa ´ s most populous country, amid a growing pattern by local companies, churches and individuals to arrange fundraiser ahead of Christmas, as the nation struggles with the worst cost-of-living crisis in a generation.

Ten individuals 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, adding that more than 1,000 individuals have actually been left from the church.

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

"The method they were rushing to enter, some individuals were falling and a few of them were old," Loveth Inyang, a witness. Inyang said he managed to save one child 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 by a philanthropist, the state authorities stated.

"The occasion had actually not even started when the rush began," authorities representative Tochukwu Ikenga stated. There might be more deaths taped as officers examine the incident, he stated.

Viral footage that appeared to be from the Abuja scene revealed lifeless bodies pushing the ground as people shouted for assistance. Some of the hurt have actually been dealt with and discharged while others continue to get medical care, cops said.

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

As the church held a marriage event after the crowd was evacuated, the agony and unhappiness remained palpable even as households and buddies collected for wedding event pictures.

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

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

After the latest disaster, the police in Abuja revealed that previous approval needs to be acquired before such charity drive are arranged.

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

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