35 children were killed in an amusement park in Nigeria

Thirty-five children were killed in a stampede during a Christmas festival in the southwestern Nigerian city of Ibadan, while six others were taken to hospital, police said.

The organizers had promised cash and food as well, but so many people showed up that there was a stampede as they struggled to get inside.

Residents said that more than 5,000 children gathered at the venue and a stampede occurred when the main organizers arrived to start the event.

The sequence of events that led to the stampede has not been revealed.

Police say they have arrested eight people behind the event, including the main organiser, Naomi Silicunola, a well-known figure in the city.

The Oyo State government said the victims were taken to hospitals across Ibadan for treatment following the stampede at the Islamic Secondary School in Bashorun area of ​​the city.

Authorities urged parents who are concerned about their children’s whereabouts to contact city hospitals.

Paramedics at one hospital told the BBC that six children were admitted, but only two survived, and four died.

In another hospital, a doctor who requested to remain anonymous said that he counted three bodies.

Some of the affected parents told reporters that they had accompanied their children to meet at the “Year-End Christmas Festival” venue as early as 05:00 on Wednesday – five hours before the event was scheduled to start.

They were hoping to get some money and food as organizers promised to distribute 5,000 naira each (about £2.50; $3) to 5,000 children as well as providing free food to attendees.

Nigeria is facing the worst economic crisis in a generation, which explains why more than 10,000 people attended the event.

Several similar incidents occurred this year.

In March, two female students were crushed to death at Nasarawa State University, Keffi, near the capital, Abuja, when a rice distribution program by the state governor caused crowds to swell. At least 23 people were injured.

Three days later in the northern state of Bauchi, at least seven people died in another stampede when a philanthropist and businessman gave alms worth 5,000 naira.

Earlier in February, five people were reported killed in Lagos when the Nigerian Customs Service auctioned off seized bags of rice.

Growing crowds buying bags of rice that were auctioned off for about $7:00 left five people dead and dozens injured.