A stampede on Saturday at a church fundraiser in Port Harcourt, Nigeria, left greater than 30 dead as well as others harmed. Most of the casualties were apparently youngsters.According to Olufemi Ayodele, a local spokesperson for Nigeria’s Civil Defense Corps, the stampede happened at the Kings Assembly Pentecostal Church’s yearly β€œShop For Free” fundraiser which was held at a neighborhood polo club.Β 

β€œDuring the procedure of dispersing the present things, there was a stampede because of congestion,” he said. “Casualties were youngsters mainly,” claimed Ayodele.

According to Grace Woyengikuro Iringe-Koko, a spokeswoman for the state police, the event had not yet started when the stampede began. She said that the crowd forced themselves into the venue even with the gate being locked, creating the deadly stampede. Woyengikuro Iringe-Koko noted that 31 people were confirmed dead, and seven were injured and hospitalized.Β 

According to NPR, after the stampede, church members were attacked and injured by the family members of the victims. Five of the children dead had the same mother. Another one of the victims was a pregnant woman. The church has refused to comment on the situation.Β 

We’ll keep you updated if more information becomes available on this tragic event.

[Via]