At Least Six Lose Their Lives in Stampede at Ghanaian Armed Forces Enlistment Event
At least 6 people have lost their lives amid a crowd crush at a military recruitment event held in a stadium in the West African nation.
The midweek "tragic" incident seems to have been triggered by "an unexpected surge of candidates who overcame security measures and stormed the entrances," announced a statement from the nation's military.
22 others were hurt, among them 5 who remain in serious state.
Thousands had gathered at the El-Wak sports venue, in the main city, the capital, with the aspiration of joining the armed forces.
Ghana has a youth unemployment rate of about thirty-two percent, the latest government statistics show, and such enlistment drives normally draw massive gatherings and frequently result in chaotic scenes.
The closing date to submit applications for this recruitment was extended by a week to accommodate additional candidates, as a number had experienced challenges in the process.
Military representative Capt Veronica Adzo Arhin stated the crush took place before the planned commencement time of 6:20 AM Greenwich Mean Time.
The nation's leader John Mahama has visited the wounded in hospital.
Calm has been restored, and the enlistment process has now begun.
