A crush at a Christmas funfair at the Islamic High School in the Bashorun district of Ibadan, Nigeria, left 35 children dead and six others hospitalized, the BBC reported.
The tragedy occurred as over 5,000 children gathered for the event, drawn by the promise of 5,000 naira ($3) and free food, with a crowd surge when organizers arrived leading to the fatal incident.
Police have arrested eight individuals, including Naomi Silekunola, the chief organizer and a prominent figure in Ibadan.
President Bola Tinubu extended condolences to the victims’ families and called for a thorough investigation. The Oyo State government confirmed that the injured were treated at multiple hospitals across Ibadan.
At one hospital, medical staff reported that six children were admitted, with only two surviving. At another hospital, a doctor anonymously confirmed three deaths.
Nigeria’s worsening economic crisis has deepened desperation among citizens, contributing to the turnout of over 10,000 people at the event.
This incident follows a series of similar tragedies. In March, two female students died in a crush during a rice distribution at Nasarawa State University in Keffi, where at least 23 others were injured.
Three days later, seven people died in Bauchi State during a crowd surge over the distribution of 5,000 naira by a philanthropist.