Stampede for rice leaves 17 dead, others injured

About 17 persons have reportedly died, while others sustained injuries following a stampede that occurred during rice distribution by officials of the Obijackson Foundation in Okija, in the Ihiala Local Government Area of Anambra State, on Saturday.

The stampede occurred during the sharing of palliatives including rice, vegetable oil and money.

It was gathered that victims were mostly women and children who were gathered at the gate, struggling to gain entrance amid a very large and uncontrollable crowd.

The palliatives were donated by a member of the community, Chief Ernest Obiejesi (Obijackson).

According to eyewitnesses at the venue, many collapsed and were rushed to the hospital with a woman critically injured.

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An unofficial source said among the victims, was a woman who slumped during the stampede and was rushed to the hospital, but it has yet to be confirmed if she survived or not.

Numerous shoes and slippers belonging to the victims were scattered at the entrance gate of the venue.

The police is yet to respond to the incident as the time of filing this report.

Recall that another stampede at Abuja today has left no fewer 10 persons dead while others sustained injuries.

Only a few days ago, a stampede at Ibadan, the Oyo State capital claimed about 35 lives, with many others injured.

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