No Fewer Than 6 Lose Their Lives in Stampede at Ghana Armed Forces Enlistment Event
At least six people have died during a stampede at a armed forces enlistment gathering held in a sports arena in Ghana.
The Wednesday's "devastating" incident seems to have been caused by "a sudden rush of candidates who overcame security measures and stormed the entrances," stated a release from the nation's military.
Twenty-two additional individuals were injured, including five who are in critical condition.
A large crowd had turned up at El-Wak stadium, in the main city, the capital, with the hope of joining the armed forces.
Ghana has a youth unemployment rate of approximately 32%, the latest government statistics indicate, and such enlistment drives normally draw massive gatherings and often result in disorderly situations.
The deadline to submit applications for this event was prolonged for a week to allow for more applicants, as a number had experienced challenges in the application procedure.
Army spokesperson Capt Veronica Adzo Arhin stated the stampede occurred before the planned commencement time of 06:20 GMT.
The nation's leader John Mahama has visited the injured in medical care.
Order has been reestablished, and the recruitment exercise has since started.
