By Rita Enemuru, Reporting
Many people are feared dead in a stampede just before the commencement of a programme organised by a new generation church in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.
The church, Kings Assembly, is located in the GRA axis of the metropolis, but the programme was at the Polo Club in Port Harcourt to accommodate the usual large congregation.
The Punch reports that the crowd overstretched the venue as the church had invited members of the public to come and receive gift items and food to mark its fourth anniversary.
A source said some of the invitees arrived the venue since Friday evening, while others arrived as early as 6.30a.m on Saturday morning for an event that was supposed to start by 9:00a.m.
He said most of the victims were taken to the nearby military hospital in Port Harcourt
“As I speak with you, I have counted 21 corpse at the military hospital. I heard some were taken to a different facility.
“This is not the first time the church is holding this programme, but the crowd since yesterday (Friday) till this morning is much.
“It was said that gift items and free food would be served. It is very painful,” the source who pleaded anonymity stated.
It was learnt that the small gate leading into the venue was pushed open on Saturday morning to enable them occupy good positions leading to a stampede.
The acting spokesperson of the state Police Command, Grace Iringe-Koko, confirmed the incident, but not the exact fatality figure
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