At least 32 killed in stampedes at 2 Christmas charity events in Nigeria

ABUJA, Nigeria -- The death toll from stampedes during two Christmas charity events in Nigeria has increased from 13 to 32, police said Sunday, with many of the victims collapsing during a crowd surge as people grew desperate for food items.

The dead included 22 people in southeastern Anambra state’s Okija town, where a philanthropist organized a food distribution, local police spokesman Tochukwu Ikenga said.

Ten others were also confirmed dead in the capital, Abuja, where a church organized a charity event to distribute food and clothing items.