Over 20 persons scrambling for free food and gifts in a new generation church in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, have been feared dead in a stampede.

The church was said to have invited members of the public for its fourth edition of free gifts and food items distribution.

Some of the invitees were said to have arrived since Friday while others came as early as 6.30am on Saturday for an event scheduled for 9am.

Sources said crowd of persons stormed the gate and pushed it causing scrambling that led to the stampede.

While over 20 persons were said to have been evacuated from the scene of the incidents, others were said to have been taken to hospitals unconscious.

A source, who spoke in confidence said: “The incident happened this morning. The church invited people for it’s fourth edition of food and gift items distribution.

“Some came since Friday while many others came as early as 6.30am on Saturday. Those who were engaged in sporting activities opened the small gate and the surging crowd wanted to gain access through the small gate and got stampeded. I counted about 21 one dead bodies on the ground.”

When contacted the Rivers Police spokesman, Iringe Grace Koko, said she was on her to the scene of the incident.