More than 20 persons have been feared dead in an early morning stampede at a new generation church in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.
Eye witnesses said the incident occurred during the fourth edition of the church’s gift and food items distribution.
It was learnt that some of the invitees arrived at the church premises since Friday while others came as early as 6.30am Saturday morning for the event scheduled to start by 9am.
Some persons said to be expected to have a sports session arrived at about 8am and opened the small gate, resulting in a surging crowd seizing the opportunity to force their way into the church premises.
This led to the stampede which claimed several lives.
“I saw about 21 dead bodies on the ground,” an eye witness said.
Many of the victims, it was learnt, were rushed to an undisclosed hospital in Port Harcourt.
Rivers State Police Public Relation Officer, Iringe Grace Koko, said she was heading to the incident scene to verify information.