At least seven people were killed and dozens were injured in Nigeria's capital Abuja today after thousands of panicked job-seekers stampeded during a government recruitment drive at the national stadium.
Survivors told AFP that thousands had gathered to apply for jobs with the immigration department in the Abuja stadium.
One witness said the stampede broke out as applicants surged towards a central stage. They said only one entrance to the 60,000-capacity stadium was open. It was unclear how many people were inside at the time of the crush.
Victims were taken to a public hospital, though many could not be admitted due to lack of capacity, according to hospital spokesman Tayo Haastrup.
No official casualty list was given, but an AFP journalist at the scene counted seven dead and dozens injured.
"I cannot even imagine the number of people that stamped on me," said survivor Rosemary Ogida. "I just remember being picked up by three men."
The young woman, who had regained consciousness at the hospital but could barely move her left leg, told AFP she was desperate after having lost the original of her university diploma in the stampede.
Those with stable injuries "will be sent to other hospitals so that we can deal with the numerous injured that continue to arrive," Haastrup said.
