Sunday, November 24, 2024, marked an unforgettable day for Catholic faithful in Aba, Abia State, as the annual Christ the King Sunday procession turned tragic, resulting in multiple deaths and injuries.
The event, celebrated globally to honor Jesus Christ’s sovereignty, saw thousands gather at the Christ the King Cathedral (CKC) along Asa Road.
The procession, organized by the Catholic Diocese of Aba, drew a massive crowd, but overcrowding at the cathedral’s main gate led to a stampede.
Reports indicate that two women from the Holy Cross Parish collapsed from suffocation and were pronounced dead at the hospital.
Tragically, two children also died, while many others sustained injuries and were receiving treatment as of the time of this report.
Witness Accounts and Reactions
A man identified as Mr. Peter lost both his wife and 9-year-old daughter in the incident. While his daughter has been buried, plans are underway for his wife’s burial.
Speaking on the tragedy, Modestus Kalu, a Catholic faithful, expressed concern over the recurrent health-related issues during such processions. He urged the diocese to decentralize future processions to individual parishes to reduce crowding and prevent future mishaps.
“The crowd was overwhelming, and the atmosphere was unfriendly,” Kalu said. “The Church should have anticipated such risks and taken necessary precautions. This loss is avoidable.”
Another parishioner, David Onyeka, questioned the spiritual significance of the large-scale procession, adding, “Aside from the recorded deaths, I heard over 30 people collapsed during the event. Is the purpose of this procession worth the risk to human lives?”
Eyewitnesses also criticized the management of the cathedral’s exit points. Despite having four gates, the main gate was reportedly the only one in use, exacerbating the congestion.
Local residents and shop owners near CKC shared their frustrations about the unruly crowd. Mrs. Bertha Agina, a shop owner, recounted, “The roads were blocked, and some participants threw sachet water and other objects around. This year’s procession was chaotic compared to previous ones.”
Church and Government Responses
Bishop Augustine Echema of the Aba Diocese confirmed the casualties and injuries in a statement titled, ‘A Tragic Christ the King Feast Procession.’ He expressed deep sorrow and pledged to support the affected families while promising an investigation into the incident.
“Some of our devout and gallant Catholics lost their lives due to overcrowding during the procession,” the Bishop stated. “Investigations are ongoing to ascertain the facts and ensure such a tragedy does not occur again. May their souls rest in peace.”
However, residents criticized the Bishop for not specifying the exact number of casualties, with some suggesting the Church might be withholding information.
Governor Alex Otti of Abia State and lawmaker Uzodike Aaron also extended their condolences to the victims’ families. Governor Otti assured that his administration would work with the Church to prevent future occurrences.
In a statement by his Special Adviser on Media, Ferdinand Ekeoma, the governor commended the swift response of the Church and local authorities in providing medical care to the injured.
Calls for Change
The tragic incident has sparked widespread calls for better crowd control measures and decentralization of future processions to avoid a repeat of such a disaster.
Faithful and residents alike hope the Church will prioritize safety to ensure the sanctity and joy of Christ the King Sunday remains unmarred by avoidable tragedies.