According to the police, 31 people died in a mass panic shortly before the start of a church event in Nigeria.
At least seven other people were injured in the incident in the town of Port Harcourt.
Apparently, food and gifts were to be given out in the morning.
Hundreds of people broke through a gate and caused a stampede, Rivers State Police spokeswoman Grace Iringe-Koko said.
“People used to be there and some got impatient and started rushing, leading to a stampede.
The police are monitoring the situation on site while the investigation is ongoing," the spokeswoman continued.
People were already waiting the night before
The dead and injured were reportedly taken to the nearby Port Harcourt military hospital.
As the BBC reports, the distribution campaign should start at nine in the morning.
Already the evening before there were many waiting people in the place.
According to Nigerian media, the church event had been moved to the grounds of a polo club because of the expected large crowds.
tgk/Reuters/dpa
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