At Least 6 Perish in Stampede at Ghanaian Armed Forces Enlistment Drive
No fewer than six individuals have lost their lives during a stampede at a military recruitment gathering held in a stadium in Ghana.
The Wednesday's "devastating" incident seems to have been triggered by "a sudden rush of applicants who overcame security measures and stormed the gates," stated a statement from the nation's military.
Twenty-two others were hurt, including five who are in critical condition.
A large crowd had gathered at the El-Wak sports venue, in the main city, Accra, with the aspiration of joining the armed forces.
The country has a youth unemployment rate of approximately thirty-two percent, the most recent government statistics indicate, and such recruitment events typically draw large crowds and often result in disorderly situations.
The closing date to apply for this recruitment was extended by a week to accommodate more applicants, as some had faced difficulties in the application procedure.
Army spokesperson Capt Veronica Adzo Arhin said the crush occurred ahead of the planned commencement time of 06:20 GMT.
The nation's leader President John Mahama has gone to see the injured in medical care.
Order has been restored, and the enlistment process has now started.
