At Least 6 Lose Their Lives in Stampede at Ghanaian Military Recruitment Event
No fewer than 6 people have lost their lives during a crowd crush at a armed forces enlistment event held in a sports arena in Ghana.
The Wednesday's "tragic" incident appeared to have been triggered by "an unexpected surge of candidates who overcame security measures and stormed the gates," announced a statement from the nation's military.
22 additional individuals were injured, including five who remain in critical condition.
Thousands had turned up at El-Wak stadium, in the capital, Accra, with the hope of enlisting in the military.
The country has a rate of joblessness among young people of approximately thirty-two percent, the latest official data show, and such enlistment drives normally draw large crowds and often lead to chaotic scenes.
The deadline to submit applications for this recruitment was extended by a week to accommodate additional candidates, as a number had faced challenges in the application procedure.
Military representative Capt Veronica Adzo Arhin said the crush occurred ahead of the planned commencement time of 06:20 GMT.
Ghana's President President John Mahama has visited the injured in hospital.
Calm has been reestablished, and the recruitment exercise has since begun.
