Nigeria School Fair Stampede Kills 35 Children

This aerial photo reveals a general view of the city of Ibadan in southwestern Nigeria, where the occurrence happened

A stampede at a school funfair in the southwestern Nigerian city of Ibadan has killed 35 children and seriously injured 6 others, authorities said on Thursday.

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

"8 persons have since been arrested for their different participations", police representative Adewale Osifeso said in a declaration.

Among those detained was the main sponsor of the occasion 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 opened a probe, Osifeso added.

Nigerian President Bola Tinubu on Thursday in a statement "expressed extensive unhappiness over the awful occurrence".

He used his "wholehearted acknowledgements" to residents, state authorities and the "grieving families who have actually lost their beloved kids".

He the "Oyo State federal government to take every essential procedure to prevent such a tragedy from returning", the statement by the presidency added.

"Among the essential actions are a thorough evaluation of all public occasions' safety steps, strict enforcement of security guidelines, and regular security audits of occasion places," Tinubu included.

- 'Rest in peace' -

Nigeria has actually seen several deadly stampedes in recent months.

In March, two students passed away and 23 were hurt after being squashed as thousands collected for free bags of rice handed out by regional authorities at Nasarawa State University, in main Nigeria.

Later that month, another stampede eliminated four females who had actually been waiting outside the workplace of a rich business owner in the northern city of Bauchi to gather 5,000 naira ($3.40) money gifts to assist spend for food during the Muslim holy month of Ramadan.

Witnesses said members of the crowd pushed to acquire the cash, triggering a stampede, as Nigeria came to grips with its worst recession 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 families and liked ones affected by this tragedy. May the souls of the departed rest in peace," Makinde said.

"We sympathise with the parents whose happiness has actually all of a sudden been turned to grieving due to these deaths," he added.