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A stampede at a school fair in the southwestern Nigerian city of Ibadan has left 35 children dead and seriously injured six others, police said on Thursday.

“Eight persons have since been arrested for their various involvements” in the incident, which took place on Wednesday in Nigeria’s third largest city, Oyo State Police Command spokesperson Adewale Osifeso said in a statement.

Among those detained was the main sponsor of the event at the Basorun Islamic High School, which was organised by the Wings Foundation and Agidigbo FM radio.

The Homicide Section of the State Criminal Investigation Department has opened a probe, he added.

Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde had shared his condolences on X Wednesday. 

“Our hearts remain with the families and loved ones impacted by this tragedy. May the souls of the departed rest in peace,” Makinde said. 

“We sympathise with the parents whose joy has suddenly been turned to mourning due to these deaths,” he added.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

Several children have died during a stampede on Wednesday at a holiday funfair in southwestern Nigeria, authorities said.

The incident happened at the Islamic High School in Basorun, Oyo State, near the economic hub of Lagos. Security forces attended the scene and arrested the event organizers, state governor Seyi Makinde said in a statement.

“Earlier today, an incident occurred in Islamic High School Basorun, the venue of an event organised for families. Sadly, a stampede at the venue has led to multiple loss of lives and injuries. This is a very sad day,” Makinde said.

“We sympathise with the parents whose joy has suddenly been turned to mourning due to these deaths,” he added.

Nigeria’s national emergency services said it has deployed a team to help provide assistance to the victims.

Children injured at the venue were taken to local hospitals where parents were asked to check for missing persons.

Video footage that appeared to be from the scene showed a large crowd of mostly children looking on as some children were being carried away from an open field.

Local media identified the event organizers as the Women In Need Of Guidance and Support Foundation, which held a similar event for children last year.

The group was preparing to host up to 5,000 young people at this year’s event, the Oyo-based Agidigbo FM radio station reported on Tuesday, citing the organizers who had featured on its program. Children “will win exciting prizes like scholarships and other bountiful gifts,” they said.

An investigation has been opened into the causes of the stampede, Makinde said, adding “anyone directly or remotely involved in this disaster will be held accountable.”