No Fewer Than Six Lose Their Lives in Stampede at Ghanaian Military Recruitment Drive
At least six people have died during a stampede at a armed forces enlistment event held in a sports arena in Ghana.
The midweek "tragic" incident seems to have been triggered by "a sudden rush of candidates who breached security protocols and rushed into the entrances," announced a release from the nation's military.
Twenty-two additional individuals were hurt, among them five who remain in critical condition.
Thousands had gathered at the El-Wak sports venue, in the capital, the capital, with the aspiration of enlisting in the armed forces.
Ghana has a youth unemployment rate of approximately thirty-two percent, the most recent government statistics indicate, and such enlistment drives normally draw massive gatherings and often result in chaotic scenes.
The closing date to submit applications for this recruitment was extended by a week to accommodate more applicants, as a number had experienced difficulties in the process.
Army spokesperson Captain Veronica Adzo Arhin said the crush occurred before the planned commencement time of 06:20 GMT.
Ghana's President President John Mahama has gone to see the wounded in hospital.
Calm has been restored, and the recruitment exercise has now started.