Port Harcourt, Nigeria, May 28 — At least 31 people lost their lives in a devastating stampede during a church event in the city of Port Harcourt. The tragedy unfolded as organizers were distributing food to the needy, drawing an overwhelming crowd that led to fatal overcrowding.
Eyewitnesses described scenes of chaos as the large crowd surged forward. “People were pushing and shoving to get to the front,” said a local resident who was present at the event. “Before we knew it, there were screams and people falling over each other. It was terrifying.”
The event, intended to provide much-needed assistance to underprivileged community members, attracted more attendees than anticipated. The lack of adequate crowd control measures is believed to have contributed to the incident.
Emergency services arrived promptly, but the sheer number of casualties overwhelmed the response efforts. Medical personnel worked tirelessly to tend to the injured, while authorities began investigating the circumstances that led to the catastrophe.
Community leaders have expressed deep sorrow and called for better planning and safety protocols for future events. “This is a heartbreaking loss for our community,” one official stated. “We must ensure that such a tragedy never happens again by implementing stricter safety measures.”
The incident has sparked conversations about event safety and the responsibilities of organizers in preventing similar occurrences. As the community mourns, there is a collective call for action to safeguard the welfare of attendees at large gatherings.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
