WRITTEN BY: Chioma Madonna Ndukwu
During the Christ the King procession at Christ the King Catholic Church in Aba on November 24, two elderly women tragically died, and several others were injured in a crowd-related incident. The procession, which honors the kingship of Jesus Christ, saw an unexpectedly large crowd that caused dangerous overcrowding both inside and outside the church premises.
According to Modestus Kalu, a member of the congregation, while fainting incidents are common in such events, this is the first time fatalities have occurred. He suggested that the Diocese decentralize future processions to individual parishes, helping to alleviate overcrowding and ensuring the safety of participants.
This tragedy highlights the importance of managing large crowds during public events, especially in confined spaces, to prevent such incidents in the future. A more distributed approach could significantly enhance safety for all attendees.
