At Least 6 Lose Their Lives in Crowd Crush at Ghana Armed Forces Enlistment Drive
No fewer than six people have lost their lives amid a stampede at a military recruitment event held in a stadium in the West African nation.
The midweek "devastating" event seems to have been caused by "an unexpected surge of candidates who overcame security measures and stormed the gates," announced a release from Ghana's armed forces.
22 others were injured, among them 5 who are in serious state.
Thousands had gathered at El-Wak stadium, in the capital, the capital, with the hope of enlisting in the military.
Ghana has a youth unemployment rate of approximately 32%, the most recent official data indicate, and such recruitment events typically draw massive gatherings and frequently result in chaotic scenes.
The deadline to apply for this recruitment was extended by a seven days to allow for additional candidates, as a number had faced challenges in the application procedure.
Military representative Capt Veronica Adzo Arhin stated the crush occurred before the planned commencement time of 6:20 AM Greenwich Mean Time.
Ghana's President John Mahama has gone to see the injured in hospital.
Calm has been reestablished, and the enlistment process has now begun.
