Abia State Governor, Alex Otti and Catholic Church, disheartened by the untimely death of worshippers at Christ the King Cathedral, Aba on Sunday, have condoled with the families of the victims.
Known as Catholic feast procession, the event is an annual celebration in the Roman Catholic and Lutheran Churches to mark Jesus Christ’s messianic kingship and sovereign rule over creation.
The tragedy rocked when two elderly women collapsed within the premises while over 30 others, including children, sustained injuries were rushed to a nearby hospital, where they were pronounced dead.
The incident reportedly caused by overcrowding at the church, suggested that security personnel had locked the church gates, contributing to the chaos.
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A statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Ferdinand Ekeoma, Governor Otti expressed deep sorrow over the loss of life and assured that his administration would work closely with the Church to prevent such incidents in the future.
He also commended the Church leadership and the government team for their swift actions in providing medical assistance to the victims.
“The Abia State government is deeply saddened by the tragic loss of lives during the annual Eucharistic Procession at Christ the King Catholic Church, Aba.
“I am profoundly pained by this unfortunate event and offer my heartfelt condolences to the families of the deceased and to the Church community as a whole,” Otti said.
The Governor praised the quick response of the government and Church leadership in delivering medical care to those affected.
He further pledged that the state’s emergency team would collaborate with the Church to investigate the causes of the stampede, both immediate and underlying, to ensure such a tragedy does not happen again.
Governor Otti concluded by praying for the peaceful repose of the souls of the deceased and wishing a speedy recovery to the injured.
Catholic Church saddened too
Meanwhile, the Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Aba, Prof. Augustine Echema, has confirmed the tragic death of some faithful during the Christ the King Feast procession held last Sunday in Aba.
In a statement titled A Tragic Christ the King Feast Procession, Bishop Echema attributed the incident to overcrowding and expressed deep sympathy for the families of the deceased and injured.
“It is with deep regret and sadness that the annual joyous celebration of our diocesan feast day, which occurs every 34th Sunday of the church year, ended in such a tragic manner. Some of our devout and gallant Catholics, who trooped out in a joyful mood to join the annual Eucharist procession, met their deaths due to overcrowding,” the Bishop lamented.
Bishop Echema assured that the church would provide support to the affected families and take steps to prevent a recurrence of such a tragedy. He also revealed that investigations are ongoing to ascertain the full details of the incident, including the identities of the victims and the exact cause of the events.
“May their souls, and the souls of the departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace,” the Bishop prayed.
