A tragic stampede at a Christmas food distribution event in Abuja, Nigeria has claimed the lives of ten people, including four children, local police reported on Saturday.

The incident occurred in the early morning hours at the Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Maitama, an upscale district of Nigeria's capital city. Police spokesman Josephine Adeh confirmed that more than 1,000 people were evacuated from the scene following the deadly crush.

The church was hosting a Christmas charity event to distribute food items to community members when the tragedy unfolded. Large crowds had gathered to receive the charitable offerings, leading to the fatal stampede.

This incident highlights the ongoing challenges of safely managing large-scale humanitarian distribution events, particularly in regions where food insecurity remains a pressing concern.

Local authorities are likely to review safety protocols for similar charitable events in the future to prevent such tragic occurrences.