The Catholic Diocese of Aba has confirmed that overcrowding during the annual Christ the King Feast led to a stampede that claimed the lives of several worshippers on Sunday. Among the victims were two elderly women, leaving the church and the local community in mourning.
Eyewitnesses described the chaotic scene as overwhelming. “The crowd was too much; there was little or no breathing space,” one eyewitness recounted.
In a statement issued on November 25, 2024, the Bishop of the Diocese, Most Rev. Augustine Echema, expressed profound sorrow over the tragic event, describing it as “unprecedented.”
“It is with deep regret and sadness that the annual joyful celebration of our Diocesan Feast Day ended in the most tragic way,” the bishop stated. “Some of our devout and gallant Catholics, who joined the Eucharistic procession in a joyful mood, met their death due to overcrowding.”
The diocese assured the public that it has launched an investigation to uncover the full details of the incident, including identifying the victims and determining the exact cause of the tragedy.
“We are working tirelessly to ensure we understand what happened and to prevent such an occurrence in the future,” the statement read.
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The church extended its condolences to the families of the deceased and offered prayers for the injured, some of whom are still receiving treatment at local hospitals.
“We condole with the deceased families and sympathise with those injured,” the diocese stated. “We pledge our support to the affected families and individuals during this time of grief and emergency.”
The tragic stampede has cast a shadow over what is typically a joyful annual celebration for the Catholic community in Aba. As investigations continue, the diocese is calling for prayers and solidarity to support those affected by the tragedy.
This incident serves as a sobering reminder of the need for improved crowd management during large gatherings to prevent future occurrences of such devastating events.