We were together yesterday, not knowing it would be the last time, please wake her up" - Mother
A tragic incident occurred at a children’s funfair in Ibadan, the capital of Oyo State, resulting in the deaths of an unconfirmed number of children. According to PUNCH, reports indicate that at least 30 children lost their lives while many others sustained injuries during the chaos, which unfolded on Wednesday.
According to the Oyo State Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Dotun Oyelade, the stampede happened at a private event held at Basorun Islamic High School. In response to the unfolding emergency, the state government promptly deployed a rapid response team to manage the situation.
Oyelade confirmed that injured children were quickly transported to various hospitals across Ibadan for urgent medical care. Eyewitness accounts suggest that the stampede was triggered when attendees, primarily children, attempted to force their way through the event’s main entrance.
The event was originally organized to accommodate 5,000 children, but over 7,500 attendees arrived, which significantly heightened the risk of overcrowding and subsequent chaos. Many children and their parents had been waiting anxiously at the venue prior to the event's commencement, further exacerbating the situation.
An administrative officer at Patnas Hospital, Olufeyemi Tolulope, revealed that six children were admitted around 8 a.m. on the day of the incident. Tragically, four of these children were pronounced dead upon arrival, while the other two were receiving treatment. Tolulope explained, “We were told that the children fainted at the event. We successfully rescued two, but unfortunately, four did not survive."
He further noted that one of the survivors had been discharged and reunited with her family, while the other, in stable condition, is expected to be released soon.
The heartbreaking stories from parents of the deceased children have emerged in the wake of the tragedy. One grieving parent, overwhelmed with sorrow, lamented, “I never thought this would happen. We were together yesterday, not knowing it would be the last time. My daughter cannot be dead. Doctor, please wake her up.”
Other parents, wishing to remain anonymous, have urged the government to expedite the release of their children’s bodies from the hospitals, highlighting their anguish during this devastating time.
At Molly Hospital, Idi-Ape, and Western Hospital, Basorun, access was restricted, with security personnel denying entry to reporters. Despite this, numerous parents gathered at the University College Hospital in Ibadan, mourning their tragic losses.
