No Fewer Than Six Lose Their Lives in Crowd Crush at Ghana Armed Forces Enlistment Drive
At least six people have lost their lives during a stampede at a military recruitment gathering held in a stadium in the West African nation.
The Wednesday's "devastating" event appeared to have been triggered by "a sudden rush of applicants who overcame security measures and stormed the entrances," stated a release from the nation's military.
Twenty-two additional individuals were hurt, including five who remain in critical condition.
Thousands had turned up at the El-Wak sports venue, in the capital, Accra, with the aspiration of enlisting in the armed forces.
The country has a rate of joblessness among young people of approximately 32%, the most recent official data show, and such recruitment events typically draw massive gatherings and frequently result in disorderly situations.
The deadline to apply for this event was extended by a seven days to allow for additional candidates, as a number had experienced challenges in the process.
Military representative Capt Veronica Adzo Arhin stated the crush occurred before the planned commencement time of 06:20 GMT.
The nation's leader President John Mahama has visited the injured in medical care.
Calm has been reestablished, and the recruitment exercise has since started.
