No Fewer Than Six Lose Their Lives in Stampede at Ghana Armed Forces Enlistment Drive
At least 6 people have died amid a crowd crush at a military recruitment gathering held in a stadium in the West African nation.
The midweek "tragic" event seems to have been caused by "an unexpected surge of candidates who overcame security measures and rushed into the gates," announced a release from Ghana's armed forces.
Twenty-two additional individuals were injured, including 5 who are in serious state.
A large crowd had gathered at the El-Wak sports venue, in the main city, the capital, with the hope of enlisting in the armed forces.
Ghana has a rate of joblessness among young people of about thirty-two percent, the latest government statistics show, and such recruitment events normally attract massive gatherings and frequently result in chaotic scenes.
The closing date to apply for this recruitment was prolonged for a seven days to accommodate additional candidates, as some had experienced challenges in the application procedure.
Army spokesperson Capt Veronica Adzo Arhin stated the crush occurred ahead of the planned commencement time of 6:20 AM Greenwich Mean Time.
The nation's leader President John Mahama has gone to see the wounded in hospital.
Calm has been reestablished, and the enlistment process has now started.
