No Fewer Than 6 Lose Their Lives in Stampede at Ghanaian Military Recruitment Drive
At least six individuals have died amid a stampede at a armed forces enlistment event held in a stadium in the West African nation.
The Wednesday's "devastating" event appeared to have been caused by "a sudden rush of candidates who overcame security measures and stormed the gates," announced a statement from Ghana's armed forces.
Twenty-two additional individuals were injured, among them 5 who are in serious state.
A large crowd had turned up at the El-Wak sports venue, in the capital, the capital, with the hope of joining the military.
The country has a youth unemployment rate of approximately thirty-two percent, the latest government statistics indicate, and such enlistment drives typically attract large crowds and often result in disorderly situations.
The closing date to submit applications for this recruitment was prolonged for a seven days to accommodate more applicants, as a number had experienced difficulties in the process.
Military representative Captain Veronica Adzo Arhin stated the crush occurred before the event's scheduled start of 06:20 GMT.
The nation's leader John Mahama has visited the injured in medical care.
Calm has been reestablished, and the recruitment exercise has since begun.
