Nigeria School Fair Stampede Kills 35 Children

This aerial photo shows a basic view of the city of Ibadan in southwestern Nigeria, where the occurrence occurred

A stampede at a school funfair in the southwestern Nigerian city of Ibadan has killed 35 kids and seriously hurt six others, authorities stated on Thursday.

The were receiving medical attention following the occurrence, which occurred on Wednesday in Nigeria's third-largest city, Oyo State Police Command stated.

"8 individuals have actually because been detained for their different participations", authorities representative Adewale Osifeso stated in a statement.

Among those apprehended was the main sponsor of the event at the Basorun Islamic High School, which was arranged by the Wings Foundation and Agidigbo FM radio.

The Homicide Section of the State Criminal Investigation Department has actually opened a probe, Osifeso added.

Nigerian President Bola Tinubu on Thursday in a declaration "revealed profound unhappiness over the terrible occurrence".

He provided his "heartfelt condolences" to residents, state authorities and the "mourning households who have lost their precious kids".

He urged the "Oyo State government to take every essential step to avoid such a disaster from persisting", the statement by the presidency included.

"Among the vital actions are an extensive evaluation of all public events' security procedures, stringent enforcement of safety regulations, and regular safety audits of occasion locations," Tinubu added.

- 'Rest in peace' -

Nigeria has seen numerous deadly stampedes in recent months.

In March, two trainees died and 23 were hurt after being squashed as thousands gathered for free bags of rice distributed by regional authorities at Nasarawa State University, in central Nigeria.

Later that month, another stampede eliminated four females who had actually been waiting outside the office of a rich business person in the northern city of Bauchi to gather 5,000 naira ($3.40) cash presents to help pay for food throughout the Muslim holy month of Ramadan.

Witnesses said members of the crowd pressed to get hold of the cash, causing a stampede, as Nigeria grappled with its worst financial crisis in a generation.

Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde had actually shared his condolences for the Ibadan victims on X on Wednesday.

"Our hearts remain with the households and liked ones affected by this disaster. May the souls of the departed rest in peace," Makinde said.

"We sympathise with the moms and dads whose joy has actually unexpectedly been turned to grieving due to these deaths," he added.