At Least Six Lose Their Lives in Stampede at Ghanaian Military Recruitment Event
No fewer than 6 individuals have died amid a stampede at a armed forces enlistment gathering held in a sports arena in Ghana.
The Wednesday's "devastating" incident seems to have been triggered by "a sudden rush of candidates who breached security protocols and stormed the gates," stated a release from the nation's military.
22 additional individuals were hurt, including five who remain in serious state.
A large crowd had gathered at El-Wak stadium, in the capital, the capital, with the aspiration of enlisting in the armed forces.
The country has a youth unemployment rate of about 32%, the latest government statistics show, and such enlistment drives typically attract massive gatherings and frequently result in disorderly situations.
The closing date to submit applications for this event was extended by a week to allow for more applicants, as a number had experienced challenges in the application procedure.
Military representative Capt Veronica Adzo Arhin said the crush took place 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 restored, and the enlistment process has now started.
