No Fewer Than Six Lose Their Lives in Stampede at Ghanaian Military Recruitment Event
At least six individuals have died during a crowd crush at a military recruitment event held in a sports arena in Ghana.
The Wednesday's "tragic" event seems to have been triggered by "a sudden rush of candidates who overcame security measures and rushed into the gates," announced a statement from the nation's military.
Twenty-two additional individuals were injured, among them 5 who are in critical condition.
A large crowd had turned up at the El-Wak sports venue, in the capital, Accra, with the hope of enlisting in the armed forces.
Ghana has a rate of joblessness among young people of about 32%, the most recent government statistics show, and such recruitment events typically draw massive gatherings and frequently lead to chaotic scenes.
The closing date to submit applications for this event was extended by a week to allow for additional candidates, as a number had faced difficulties in the process.
Army spokesperson Captain Veronica Adzo Arhin stated the stampede took place before the planned commencement time of 06:20 GMT.
Ghana's President President John Mahama has gone to see the wounded in medical care.
Calm has been reestablished, and the enlistment process has since started.
