Overcrowding blamed for worshippers’ deaths at Abia church feast

The Catholic Diocese of Aba has said that the stampede that claimed the lives of several worshippers during the annual Christ the King Feast happened due to overcrowding during the procession.

Reports said those who died during the feast held on Sunday included two elderly women.

An eyewitness stated that the crowd “was too much that there was little or no breathing space.”

However,  in a statement dated November 25, 2024, and signed by the Bishop of the Diocese, the Most Rev. Augustine Echema, the church described the incident as unprecedented.

It assured all that investigations are ongoing to uncover the full details of the tragedy, including the identities of the victims and the exact cause.

The statement read in part, “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.

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