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Dozens of children killed in crush at Nigerian Christmas funfair | Dozens of children killed in crush at Nigerian Christmas funfair |
(32 minutes later) | |
Parents of missing children have been urged to look in local hospitals | Parents of missing children have been urged to look in local hospitals |
Thirty-five children have been killed in a crush at a Christmas funfair in the south-west Nigerian city of Ibadan, with six others hospitalised, the police say. | Thirty-five children have been killed in a crush at a Christmas funfair in the south-west Nigerian city of Ibadan, with six others hospitalised, the police say. |
The organisers had promised to give cash handouts and also food but so many people turned up that there was a crush as they struggled to gain entry. | The organisers had promised to give cash handouts and also food but so many people turned up that there was a crush as they struggled to gain entry. |
Residents said that over 5,000 children had gathered at the venue and the crush occurred when the main organisers arrived to start the event. | Residents said that over 5,000 children had gathered at the venue and the crush occurred when the main organisers arrived to start the event. |
The sequence of events leading to the crush has not been disclosed. | The sequence of events leading to the crush has not been disclosed. |
The police say they have arrested eight people who were behind the event, including the main organiser, Naomi Silekunola, a well-known figure in the city. | The police say they have arrested eight people who were behind the event, including the main organiser, Naomi Silekunola, a well-known figure in the city. |
President Bola Tinubu has extended his heartfelt condolences to the parents who have lost their children, and ordered a thorough investigation. | |
The Oyo state government said victims had been taken to hospitals across Ibadan for treatment after the crush at the Islamic High School in the city's Bashorun district. | The Oyo state government said victims had been taken to hospitals across Ibadan for treatment after the crush at the Islamic High School in the city's Bashorun district. |
Authorities have urged parents who are concerned about the whereabouts of their children to check at the city's hospitals. | Authorities have urged parents who are concerned about the whereabouts of their children to check at the city's hospitals. |
Medics in one hospital told the BBC that six children had been admitted but only two survived - four had died. | Medics in one hospital told the BBC that six children had been admitted but only two survived - four had died. |
At another hospital, a doctor who declined to be named said he had counted three dead bodies. | At another hospital, a doctor who declined to be named said he had counted three dead bodies. |
Some affected parents told journalists that they had accompanied their children to converge at the venue of the "End of the Year Christmas funfair" as early as 05:00 on Wednesday - five hours before the event was due to start. | Some affected parents told journalists that they had accompanied their children to converge at the venue of the "End of the Year Christmas funfair" as early as 05:00 on Wednesday - five hours before the event was due to start. |
They were hoping to get some money and food as the organisers had promised to give out 5,000 naira each (about £2.50; $3) to 5,000 children as well as make free food available to attendees. | They were hoping to get some money and food as the organisers had promised to give out 5,000 naira each (about £2.50; $3) to 5,000 children as well as make free food available to attendees. |
Nigeria is grappling with its worst economic crisis in a generation, which explains why more than 10,000 people reportedly turned up for the event. | Nigeria is grappling with its worst economic crisis in a generation, which explains why more than 10,000 people reportedly turned up for the event. |
There have been several similar incidents this year. | There have been several similar incidents this year. |
In March, two female students were crushed to death at the Nasarawa State University, Keffi, near the capital Abuja, when a rice distribution programme by the state governor caused a crowd surge. At least 23 people were injured. | In March, two female students were crushed to death at the Nasarawa State University, Keffi, near the capital Abuja, when a rice distribution programme by the state governor caused a crowd surge. At least 23 people were injured. |
Three days later in the northern state of Bauchi, at least seven people died in another crush when a philanthropist and businessman was giving handouts of 5,000 naira. | Three days later in the northern state of Bauchi, at least seven people died in another crush when a philanthropist and businessman was giving handouts of 5,000 naira. |
Earlier in February, five people were reported killed in Lagos when the Nigerian Customs Service auctioned seized bags of rice. | Earlier in February, five people were reported killed in Lagos when the Nigerian Customs Service auctioned seized bags of rice. |
A crowd surge for bags of rice being auctioned for about $7:00 led to the trampling to death of five people with dozens more injured. | A crowd surge for bags of rice being auctioned for about $7:00 led to the trampling to death of five people with dozens more injured. |
More Nigeria stories from the BBC: | More Nigeria stories from the BBC: |
Nigerian man promised pardon after 10 years on death row for stealing hens | Nigerian man promised pardon after 10 years on death row for stealing hens |
'I've been sleeping under a bridge in Lagos for 30 years' | 'I've been sleeping under a bridge in Lagos for 30 years' |
Is Nigeria on the right track after a year of Tinubu? | Is Nigeria on the right track after a year of Tinubu? |
Go to BBCAfrica.com, external for more news from the African continent. | Go to BBCAfrica.com, external for more news from the African continent. |
Follow us on Twitter @BBCAfrica, external, on Facebook at BBC Africa, external or on Instagram at bbcafrica, external | Follow us on Twitter @BBCAfrica, external, on Facebook at BBC Africa, external or on Instagram at bbcafrica, external |