No Fewer Than Six Lose Their Lives in Stampede at Ghanaian Military Recruitment Event
No fewer than 6 individuals have died amid a crowd crush at a armed forces enlistment gathering held in a stadium in the West African nation.
The Wednesday's "devastating" incident seems to have been triggered by "a sudden rush of applicants who overcame security measures and stormed the entrances," stated a release from the nation's military.
22 others were hurt, among them five who are in serious state.
Thousands had gathered at the El-Wak sports venue, in the capital, the capital, with the hope of enlisting in the armed forces.
The country has a youth unemployment rate of approximately 32%, the latest government statistics indicate, and such enlistment drives typically attract large crowds and often lead to chaotic scenes.
The closing date to submit applications for this event was prolonged for a week to allow for additional candidates, as a number had experienced difficulties in the process.
Military representative Captain Veronica Adzo Arhin said the crush occurred before the planned commencement time of 6:20 AM Greenwich Mean Time.
Ghana's President President John Mahama has visited the injured in hospital.
Calm has been restored, and the enlistment process has since begun.
