WORLD NEWS FOR MONTENEGRO DIASPORA
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AUTHOR:M.J. GDNUS
At least 32 children have died in a carnival stampede in southwestern Nigeria's Oyo state, officials said on Thursday.
The incident occurred on Wednesday at Bashorun Islamic Secondary School in the state capital, Ibadan.
Spokesperson Dotun Ojelisa confirmed to reporters that 32 people were dead, adding that the number could be revised after a full police report.
Oyo state police command spokesman Adewal Osifeso said investigations were underway to determine the exact number of victims.
The carnival was organized by the NGO Women in Need of Guidance and Support, and police are questioning the organization's founder, Naomi Silekunola.
Omoleja Azeez, who was at the scene with her seven-year-old son, told Anadolu Agency that she arrived at 6 a.m. (0500 GMT) as crowds were trying to enter the carnival grounds. According to her, there were not enough security personnel on site.
“Many fell and were trampled, while others fainted from the intense pressure of the crowd,” she said.
Organizers had announced food and gifts for 5,000 children, but by 5 a.m. on Wednesday, about 8,000 had already turned up.
Several sources at the scene said the victims were trampled as they tried to pass through the main gate.
