Mass pre-Christmas food crushes claim 67 lives in Nigeria

LAGOS: Stampedes in quest of free food have claimed the lives of 67 Nigerians over the pre-Christmas period amid a severe economic crisis, police in the West African nation said on Sunday, reported German news agency (dpa).

The death toll from a crush in Okija in the southeastern state of Anambra had risen to 22 from a previously reported 13, police spokesman Tochukwu Ikenga said.

Ten people died in another incident on Saturday in Abuja as food was being distributed in a church.

These two accidents occurred just days after 35 children were killed in a crush at a school fair in the southwest of the country.

Food is traditionally distributed to the poor ahead of Christmas, with large crowds gathering to benefit from the handouts.

The rise in deadly incidents is being attributed to deteriorating economic conditions in the country, Africa's most populous with an estimated population of more than 230 million.

Despite its oil wealth, Nigeria is facing its worst economic crisis in more than two decades. Inflation has seen a rapid rise in food prices, making basic foodstuffs unaffordable to many Nigerians.

-- BERNAMA