At Least 6 Perish in Stampede at Ghanaian Military Recruitment Drive
No fewer than six individuals have lost their lives during a crowd crush at a armed forces enlistment gathering held in a sports arena in Ghana.
The Wednesday's "tragic" event appeared to have been caused by "an unexpected surge of candidates who overcame security measures and rushed into the gates," stated a release from Ghana's armed forces.
Twenty-two others were hurt, including five who are in critical condition.
Thousands had gathered at El-Wak stadium, in the capital, Accra, with the aspiration of joining the armed forces.
The country has a rate of joblessness among young people of approximately thirty-two percent, the most recent official data show, and such enlistment drives typically draw large crowds and often lead to disorderly situations.
The closing date to submit applications for this event was prolonged for a week to allow for more applicants, as some had faced challenges in the process.
Military representative Capt Veronica Adzo Arhin said the stampede occurred before the event's scheduled start of 06:20 GMT.
The nation's leader John Mahama has gone to see the wounded in hospital.
Calm has been restored, and the recruitment exercise has now begun.
