Tragic Stampede at Youth Festival in Nigeria Leaves 35 Children Dead, 6 Injured

A devastating stampede at a youth festival in Nigeria’s southwestern Oyo State has resulted in the deaths of at least 35 children and left six others injured. The incident occurred at an Islamic high school in Ibadan, the state’s capital, where over 5,000 people had gathered for the event.

According to reports from international news agencies, the festival venue was overcrowded with students. The event featured various games and prize announcements, drawing large crowds. During the course of the program, a sudden and unexplained panic led to a stampede, causing dozens of people to be trampled.

The Associated Press (AP) reported that the stampede claimed the lives of at least 35 students, with many others injured. Officials fear that the death toll may rise as some of the injured are in critical condition.

Police have taken action, detaining the event’s organizers to investigate the circumstances that led to the tragedy. Authorities stated that if negligence is found to be the cause of the stampede, those responsible will face legal action. Police have so far arrested eight members of the event’s organizing committee as part of the ongoing investigation.

The tragic incident has drawn widespread attention and calls for stricter crowd control measures at large public gatherings, especially in schools. As the investigation continues, the Nigerian public awaits further details on the causes of the disaster and the accountability of those involved.