No Fewer Than Six Lose Their Lives in Crowd Crush at Ghana Armed Forces Enlistment Drive
At least 6 people have died amid a stampede at a armed forces enlistment event held in a sports arena in the West African nation.
The Wednesday's "tragic" event appeared to have been caused by "an unexpected surge of applicants who overcame security measures and stormed the gates," stated a release from the nation's military.
Twenty-two others were injured, among them five who remain in serious state.
Thousands had gathered at El-Wak stadium, in the main city, the capital, with the hope of joining the armed forces.
Ghana has a youth unemployment rate of approximately 32%, the latest government statistics indicate, and such recruitment events normally draw massive gatherings and often result in chaotic scenes.
The deadline to apply for this recruitment was prolonged for a week to allow for additional candidates, as a number had experienced difficulties in the application procedure.
Military representative Capt Veronica Adzo Arhin stated the stampede took place ahead of the planned commencement time of 06:20 GMT.
The nation's leader John Mahama has visited the wounded in medical care.
Calm has been restored, and the recruitment exercise has now begun.
