ABUJA, Nigeria (AP) - A minimum of 13 individuals, including 4 children, were eliminated in 2 separate stampedes in Nigeria as big crowds gathered to collect food and clothing products dispersed at yearly Christmas occasions, the authorities said Saturday.

The two mishaps came days after another such stampede in Africa ´ s most populous country, amid a growing pattern by local organizations, churches and individuals to organize fundraiser ahead of Christmas, as the nation deals 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 said in a declaration, including that more than 1,000 individuals have been left from the church.

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

"The method they were hurrying to go into, some people were falling and some of them were old," Loveth Inyang, a witness. Inyang said he handled to save one baby as his mother struggled in the rise.

Three individuals died in a similar crush later in the southeastern Anambra state's Okija town at a charity event organized by a philanthropist, the state police stated.

"The occasion had actually not even begun when the rush started," cops spokesman Tochukwu Ikenga stated. There might be more deaths taped as officers investigate the occurrence, he said.

Viral footage that appeared to be from the Abuja scene revealed lifeless bodies lying on the ground as people shouted for help. Some of the injured have been dealt with and released while others continue to get healthcare, authorities stated.

The church canceled the charity drive with bags of rice and clothes products still organized within the properties.

As the church held a wedding after the crowd was evacuated, the agony and sadness stayed palpable even as friends and families collected for wedding images.

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

The current stampedes in Nigeria have actually raised questions about precaution in such occasions. Several children were killed on Wednesday today when a regional foundation organized a well-attended funfair to disperse present products and food to kids in southwestern Oyo state.

After the current catastrophe, the cops in Abuja revealed that previous approval needs to be obtained before such charity drive are organized.

The existing financial hardship under Nigerian President Bola Tinubu, who promised "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 government ´ s economic policies that have pushed the local currency to tape-record low against the dollar.

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