Seven Dead in Light Aircraft Crash in Jalisco, Mexico

At least seven people have died following the crash of a light aircraft in a remote, heavily forested area of Jalisco, western Mexico, local authorities confirmed on Sunday.

The aircraft, a Cessna 207, was en route from La Parota in the neighboring state of Michoacan when it went down. Jalisco Civil Protection reported the crash site was in an area difficult to access, complicating rescue and recovery operations.

In a statement on social media, Civil Protection confirmed that “preliminary reports” from the scene indicated that seven people had died. Their identities have not yet been released, and authorities are working to confirm further details.

The agency also mentioned that a fire at the crash site was extinguished, and risk mitigation efforts were carried out to prevent additional damage. “We are waiting for forensic investigators to arrive to remove the bodies and rule out the presence of other victims,” the statement added.

The cause of the crash remains under investigation, with authorities working to gather more information on the incident.

Oriyomi Hamzat Speaks Out on Ibadan Funfair Stampede, Blames Parents for Chaos

Media personality Oriyomi Hamzat has broken his silence regarding the tragic stampede that occurred at a funfair event in Ibadan, shifting blame onto parents for the chaotic situation that led to casualties. In a detailed recount of the incident, Hamzat defended Prophetess Naomi, the event organizer, and highlighted the various challenges faced during the event’s preparation and execution.

In his statement, Hamzat shared that he had visited the venue the day before the event to inspect the arrangements. During this visit, he underscored the importance of proper security and crowd management. He emphasized the need for efficient ticketing and insisted on printing 5,500 tickets to manage the expected crowd, noting that the audience in Ibadan might behave differently compared to other locations where similar events had been held.

Despite these preparations, things began to spiral out of control early on the event day. By 4 a.m., parents had already started gathering at the venue, even though the program was scheduled to begin at 10 a.m. By 5:45 a.m., Hamzat arrived to find blocked roads and scenes of desperation, with mothers throwing their children over the fence in an attempt to secure entry. Tragically, one child died after hitting his head on the ground when his mother threw him over the fence, assuming someone would catch him.

Hamzat criticized the parents’ reckless actions, questioning how Prophetess Naomi could be blamed for such behavior. He expressed disbelief that the responsibility for the tragedy was being placed on the shoulders of the event’s organizer, who had made significant efforts to ensure the event’s safety.

“A day before the funfair, I went to inspect the venue to ensure that all the necessary things were in place. Prophetess Naomi was there and she said the place was more spacious than the venue they originally intended to use,” Hamzat explained. “I asked about the security arrangement, and she assured me that security would be on site by 8 a.m. I told her and the team that Ibadan is different from other places and promised to provide 200 boys who would be handing out tickets to the children. Initially, there were no plans to use tickets.”

He continued, recounting his arrival at the venue early in the morning, where he found the situation already deteriorating. “I arrived at 5:45 a.m. and saw a massive crowd. Roads were blocked, and mothers were already throwing their kids over the fence. The event was scheduled to start at 10 a.m., and security wasn’t due until 8 a.m. I began begging everyone to go home, but they wouldn’t listen. By 7 a.m., the stampede had started.”

Hamzat also revealed that despite anticipating 5,000 children, Naomi had rented 7,000 chairs, as he had advised her to make provisions for mothers who would bring their kids. He further criticized the behavior of some parents, with one woman reportedly bringing 19 children to the venue.

“The stampede occurred because of the actions of the parents, not due to any lack of planning by Prophetess Naomi or her team,” Hamzat said. “How can it be Naomi’s fault when over 2,000 mothers threw their children over the fence as early as 4 a.m.?”

The tragedy has raised serious concerns over crowd management and safety at public events, and Hamzat’s statements have sparked a wider conversation about the role of event organizers and parents in ensuring the safety of attendees.

CAN,ib

In the wake of the tragic stampede at Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Maitama on Saturday, the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) has expressed deep sorrow and called for improved measures to manage large crowds during charitable events.

In a statement titled “A Heartfelt Response to the Tragedy at Holy Trinity Catholic Church” issued on Sunday, CAN President, Archbishop Daniel Okoh, described the incident as “not just statistics” but a devastating loss affecting real families. He offered condolences to the bereaved families and called for collective support and understanding.

“The National Leadership of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) is disturbed by the tragic events at Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Maitama on Saturday morning. We have learned that at least ten people, including children, lost their lives in a stampede while trying to seek help from the church,” Okoh stated.

“This tragedy is not just statistics; it represents real families who are hurting. Each person lost was someone’s beloved family member. We wish to express our heartfelt condolences to the Catholic Church and to the families affected by this terrible incident. We stand together with you in this time of sadness and prayer,” he added.

The incident, which occurred during a charitable event, is part of a concerning trend. Archbishop Okoh highlighted two other tragic stampedes that took place earlier this month in Nigeria.

On December 18, a Christmas funfair in Ibadan turned deadly when a stampede claimed the lives of 35 children and left six others critically injured. The event, intended to distribute cash and food to over 5,000 children, has since come under investigation for potential lapses in crowd management.

In another instance, a rice distribution event in Anambra State resulted in the deaths of 22 people and injuries to 32 others. Both incidents underscore the challenges associated with organizing large-scale charitable efforts in the country.

“These heartbreaking incidents highlight the challenges of managing large crowds during charitable events. In the face of these tragedies, we recognize the importance of coming together to support those who are grieving,” Okoh said.

He urged Nigerians to show compassion and solidarity in these trying times. “It is crucial that we listen to one another, share our feelings, and offer help in any way we can. This is a time for compassion and understanding as we help one another heal,” the CAN president emphasized.

The CAN leadership also called for a review of protocols and strategies to ensure the safety of participants at charitable events, aiming to prevent similar tragedies in the future.