At least 31 people were killed in a catastrophic stampede during a church-organized food distribution in Nigeria's Port Harcourt on May 28, with witnesses describing scenes of chaos as crowds overwhelmed the venue. The event, aimed at providing aid to low-income families, turned deadly due to overcrowding and a loss of crowd control.
Eyewitness Accounts Reveal Chaos
Survivors interviewed by CGTN Stringer recounted desperate pushes to access supplies, with one attendee stating, \"People began falling and screaming – no one could stop the crush.\" Local authorities confirmed the death toll includes women and children, while over a dozen others sustained injuries.
Rising Questions Over Safety Protocols
The incident has sparked debates about safety measures at large-scale aid events in Nigeria, where economic pressures often drive overcrowding at charitable distributions. Community leaders are urging stricter regulations to prevent similar tragedies, as investigations into the church's planning processes begin.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
