Christ the King: Four feared dead, others hospitalised in Aba during procession

Four people have tragically lost their lives during the annual Christ the King procession organized by the Catholic Church in Aba, Abia State, on Sunday, November 24, 2024. Among the victims were two elderly women and a teenage girl, all of whom were part of the large crowd gathered at Christ the King Cathedral (CKC) for the religious event.

Reports indicate that the deaths were either due to exhaustion or a stampede caused by the overwhelming crowd. Witnesses described the scene as chaotic, with one, identified as Chinenye, stating that the crowd was so dense that there was "little or no breathing space." She further highlighted the difficulty some people, particularly the elderly and those with health issues, faced due to the intense heat and congestion. 

"People have been slumping for years at these events, but this is the first time I am hearing that someone died," Chinenye said. She also urged the Catholic Diocese of Aba to find a way to manage the crowd better in future processions, suggesting that local parishes could host their own events instead of congregating at the central cathedral. 

The victims were reportedly pronounced dead at Mendel Hospital in Aba, having passed away before reaching the facility. Several others who sustained injuries in the stampede were immediately rushed to nearby hospitals for treatment.

An anonymous source, Ebere, claimed that the stampede was triggered when a group of young men, commonly referred to as "yahoo boys," arrived at the cathedral and began throwing money into the crowd. As people scrambled to pick up the money, chaos ensued, and some were trampled by others in the mad dash for the cash. While there were conflicting reports, it was confirmed that at least four people died, with others suffering serious injuries.

As of the time of this report, the Catholic Diocese of Aba had not issued an official statement on the incident. The church is expected to address the tragic event and offer condolences to the families of the victims in the coming days.

In the wake of the disaster, many have called for a review of the safety protocols at such public events, especially given the growing crowds and potential hazards. Local authorities have also been urged to consider measures to prevent future incidents at mass gatherings.