At Least Six Lose Their Lives in Stampede at Ghana Armed Forces Enlistment Event
No fewer than six individuals have died amid a stampede at a military recruitment event held in a stadium in the West African nation.
The midweek "tragic" incident appeared to have been caused 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, including 5 who remain in critical condition.
A large crowd had turned up 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 32%, the most recent official data indicate, and such recruitment events normally draw massive gatherings and frequently result in chaotic scenes.
The closing date to submit applications for this recruitment was prolonged for a week to accommodate more applicants, as some had experienced challenges in the application procedure.
Military representative Captain Veronica Adzo Arhin stated the crush occurred before the planned commencement time of 6:20 AM Greenwich Mean Time.
The nation's leader John Mahama has gone to see the injured in hospital.
Order has been reestablished, and the recruitment exercise has since started.
