At Least Six Perish in Stampede at Ghana Military Recruitment Drive
At least six people have lost their lives during a crowd crush at a armed forces enlistment event held in a stadium in the West African nation.
The Wednesday's "devastating" event appeared to have been triggered by "an unexpected surge of candidates who overcame security measures and rushed into the entrances," announced a release from Ghana's armed forces.
22 additional individuals were hurt, including five who remain in critical condition.
Thousands had turned up at El-Wak stadium, in the capital, the capital, with the hope of enlisting in the military.
The country has a rate of joblessness among young people of approximately 32%, the most recent official data show, and such enlistment drives typically draw massive gatherings and frequently lead to disorderly situations.
The deadline to apply for this recruitment was prolonged for a seven days to accommodate more applicants, as a number had faced difficulties in the process.
Army spokesperson Captain Veronica Adzo Arhin said the crush occurred ahead of the event's scheduled start of 6:20 AM Greenwich Mean Time.
Ghana's President President John Mahama has gone to see the injured in hospital.
Order has been reestablished, and the enlistment process has now started.
