At least 31 people are feared dead during a stampede that greeted the commencement of a programme organised by a new generation church in Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital.
The church known as ‘Kings Assembly’ is located in GRA but fixed the annual soup kitchen programme at the Polo Club in the to accommodate the envisaged large crowd
A witness stated that the incident occurred during the church’s gift and food items distribution to celebrate its fourth anniversary.
The witness noted people arrived since Friday while others arrived as early as 6.30am Saturday morning for the event that was supposed to start by 9am.
He said some persons who were supposed to have a sports session arrived at about 8am and opened the small gate.
The development gave the surging crowd the opportunity to force their way in, resulting in the stampede.
“The incident happened this morning. The church invited people for it’s fourth edition of food and gift items distribution. Some came since Friday while many others came as early as 6.30am on Saturday.
“Those who were engaged in sporting activities opened the small gate and the surging crowd wanted to gain access through the small gate and got stampeded. I counted about 21 one dead bodies on the ground,” he said.
He said many victims had been taken to an undisclosed hospital in Port Harcourt.
The acting spokesperson of the state Police Command, Grace Iringe-Koko, confirmed the incident to newsmen. However, she was unable to ascertain the exact number of casualties.
“I am doing a press statement on the incident. It would be released soon,” she stated.
Eyewitness account:
Daystar of PH. @DaystarSnr “Stampede at polo club port Harcourt, the church always host a program where they feed,clothe and do free medical check up annually at elekahia stadium since Madrid academy was built in the stadium they needed a new venue and this is the result they get for try to feed people.
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