The Catholic Diocese of Aba has disclosed that the stampede that claimed the lives of several worshippers during the annual Christ the King Feast occurred due to overcrowding during the procession.
According to reports, two elderly women died during Sunday’s feast.
An eyewitness reported that the gathering “was so large that there was little or no breathing space.”
However, in a statement dated November 25, 2024, written by the Diocese’s Bishop, the Most Rev. Augustine Echema, the church classified the episode as unprecedented.
It assured everyone that investigations are still on to determine the full scope of the tragedy, including the identities of the victims and the exact cause.
The statement partly reads, “It is with deep regret and sadness that the annual joyful celebration of our Diocesan Feast Day ended in the most tragic way. Some of our devout and gallant Catholics, who joined the Eucharistic procession in a joyful mood, met their death due to overcrowding.”
“The diocese extended condolences to the families of the deceased and sympathised with those injured in the incident.
“We condole with the deceased families and sympathise with those injured, who are still receiving treatment in the hospital.
“We pledge our support to the affected families and individuals during this time of grief and emergency,” the statement added.
