Many Feared Dead In Port Harcourt Church Stampede

Over 20 people are feared dead just before the commencement of a program organized by a new generation church in Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital.
Though the church known as ‘Kings Assembly’ is located in the GRA axis of the state capital, the program was at the Polo Club the to accommodate the usual large congregation

A witness stated that the incident occurred during the church’s gift and food items distribution to celebrate its fourth anniversary.
According to the source, some people arrived on Friday while others arrived as early as 6.30 am this morning for an event that was supposed to start by 9 am.

He said:

“some persons who were supposed to have a sports session arrived at about 8 am and opened the small gate which gave the surging crowd an opportunity to force their way in, resulting in the stampede.

“The incident happened this morning. The church invited people for its fourth edition of food and gift items distribution. Some came on Friday while many others came as early as 6.30 am on Saturday.

“Those who were engaged in sporting activities opened the small gate and the surging crowd wanted to gain access through the small gate and got stampeded. I counted about 21 dead bodies on the ground,” he said.

He said many victims had been taken to an undisclosed hospital in Port Harcourt.

The acting spokesperson of the state Police Command, Grace Iringe-Koko, confirmed the incident to newsmen, but could not give a figure just yet.

“I am doing a press statement on the incident. It would be released soon,” she stated.

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