At least 31 die in stampede at Nigeria church event: police

According to authorities, a stampede in south Nigeria killed at least 31 people on Saturday during a church charity event where food was being distributed.

The disaster happened in Port Harcourt city in Nigeria’s Rivers state, local police spokeswoman Grace Iringe-Koko said, confirming a death toll of 31 people.

Local Nigerian media reported the event organized by the King’s Assembly church was offering food and gifts for the poor at a sports field.

In recent years, Nigeria has had multiple food distribution stampede disasters, including a food distribution programme run by an aid agency in north Borno State that resulted in the deaths of seven women last year.