31 dead in church fair stampede in southern Nigeria: Police
Abuja, May 28: A stampede Saturday at a church charity sale in southern Nigeria left 31 people dead, police said, a shocking development at an event that organisers said aimed to "offer hope" to the needy.
The stampede at the programme organised by the Kings Assembly pentecostal church in Rivers state involved many people who were seeking assistance, according to Grace Iringe-Koko, a police spokesperson in the state.
Many of the victims came to benefit from an annual Shop for Free charity programme organised by the church. Such events are common in Nigeria, Africa's largest economy, where more than 80 million people live in poverty, according to government statistics.
Saturday's charity programme was supposed to begin at 9 a.m. but dozens arrived as early as 5 a.m. to secure their place in line, Iringe-Koko told The Associated Press.
Somehow they broke open the locked gate, she said, noting that in addition to the deaths, seven other people were injured but responding to treatment.
Videos from the scene showed the clothing and shoes meant for the beneficiaries. Doctors and emergency workers treated some of the injured as they lay in the open field.
The Shop for Free event was suspended while authorities investigated how the stampede occurred.
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Delhi: Man killed after dispute over loud music turns violent; two arrested
New Delhi, Jan 2: A 40-year-old man died after a dispute over playing loud music escalated into a clash between neighbours in south Delhi, police said on Thursday.
The incident took place in Rohini on the intervening night of Wednesday and Thursday. A PCR call was received at 1:08 am reporting a quarrel between neighbours, the police said.
Upon reaching the spot it was found that Dharmender, the victim, had been involved in an altercation with his neighbors, Piyush Tiwari (21) and Kapil Tiwari (26), over the issue of loud music, they said.
Preliminary investigations revealed that Dharmender and his brother had objected to the loud music, leading to a heated argument with the accused brothers, they added.
"The argument turned violent, with Dharmender and his brother being assaulted by the accused. Dharmender was taken to Baba Saheb Ambedkar Medical College and Hospital where doctors declared him brought dead," a police officer said.
A case has been registered and the accused have been arrested. Further investigation is underway, he said.
Dharmender is survived by his wife and three children.
