No Fewer Than Six Perish in Stampede at Ghanaian Military Recruitment Event
At least six people have lost their lives during a stampede at a military recruitment event held in a sports arena in Ghana.
The Wednesday's "devastating" incident seems to have been triggered by "a sudden rush of applicants who breached security protocols and rushed into the gates," stated a statement from the nation's military.
22 additional individuals were hurt, including five who remain in critical condition.
A large crowd had turned up at the El-Wak sports venue, in the main city, Accra, with the hope of enlisting in the armed forces.
The country has a youth unemployment rate of about 32%, the most recent official data indicate, and such recruitment events normally draw massive gatherings and frequently lead to chaotic scenes.
The closing date to submit applications for this event was extended by a seven days to accommodate additional candidates, as a number had experienced challenges in the application procedure.
Army spokesperson Capt Veronica Adzo Arhin stated the crush occurred ahead of the planned commencement time of 06:20 GMT.
The nation's leader President John Mahama has visited the wounded in hospital.
Calm has been reestablished, and the enlistment process has since begun.
