At Least Six Lose Their Lives in Stampede at Ghana Armed Forces Enlistment Drive
No fewer than six people have died during a stampede at a armed forces enlistment gathering held in a sports arena in Ghana.
The midweek "devastating" event appeared to have been triggered by "a sudden rush of applicants who breached security protocols and rushed into the entrances," announced a release from the nation's military.
22 additional individuals were hurt, among them 5 who are in critical condition.
Thousands had gathered at El-Wak stadium, in the main city, Accra, with the hope of enlisting in the armed forces.
Ghana has a youth unemployment rate of about thirty-two percent, the latest government statistics show, and such recruitment events typically draw large crowds and often result in disorderly situations.
The deadline to apply for this event was prolonged for a seven days to accommodate additional candidates, as some had faced challenges in the application procedure.
Army spokesperson Capt Veronica Adzo Arhin stated the crush occurred before the event's scheduled start of 06:20 GMT.
Ghana's President John Mahama has gone to see the injured in hospital.
Order has been restored, and the enlistment process has since started.