No Fewer Than 6 Lose Their Lives in Stampede at Ghanaian Armed Forces Enlistment Event
At least 6 people have lost their lives amid a crowd crush at a military recruitment gathering held in a sports arena in Ghana.
The Wednesday's "tragic" event appeared to have been triggered by "an unexpected surge of applicants who overcame security measures and stormed the entrances," stated a statement from Ghana's armed forces.
Twenty-two others were injured, among them 5 who are in critical condition.
A large crowd 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 32%, the latest official data show, and such recruitment events normally attract large crowds and often result in disorderly situations.
The closing date to apply for this recruitment was prolonged for a week to allow for additional candidates, as some had faced difficulties in the process.
Military representative Capt Veronica Adzo Arhin stated the stampede occurred ahead of the planned commencement time of 06:20 GMT.
Ghana's President President John Mahama has visited the wounded in medical care.
Calm has been reestablished, and the enlistment process has now started.
