35 children killed at the Nigerian fair

Thirty-five children have died in a crush at a Christmas market in the southwestern Nigerian city of Ibadan, and six others have been hospitalized, police said.

Organizers had promised to donate cash as well as food, but there were so many people that they fell in love as they struggled to get in.

Neighbors said more than 5,000 children had gathered at the site and the crush occurred as the main organizers arrived to kick off the event.

The sequence of events leading up to the crush has not been revealed.

Police say they have arrested eight people who were behind the event, including the main organizer, Naomi Silekunola, a well-known figure in the city.

The Oyo State government said the victims had been taken to hospitals in Ibadan for treatment following the crush at the Islamic Secondary School in Bashorun District of the city.

Authorities have urged parents who are worried about their children’s whereabouts to check with city hospitals.

Doctors at a hospital told the BBC that six children had been admitted, but only two survived – four had died.

At another hospital, a doctor who did not want to be named said he had counted three bodies.

Some affected parents told reporters that they had accompanied their children to converge on the grounds of the “Fara d’Atractions Christmas End of Year” at 05:00 on Wednesday, five hours before the event began.

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

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

There have been several similar incidents this year.

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

Three days later, in the northern state of Bauchi, at least seven people died in another crush when a philanthropist and businessman was giving handouts of 5,000 naira.

In early February, five people were reported to have died in Lagos when the Nigeria Customs Service auctioned seized bags of rice.

A surge in the crowd of bags of rice being auctioned off for about $7 resulted in five people being trampled to death and dozens more injured.