At Least 6 Lose Their Lives in Stampede at Ghanaian Armed Forces Enlistment Event
No fewer than six people have lost their lives during a stampede at a military recruitment event held in a stadium in Ghana.
The midweek "tragic" incident appeared to have been triggered by "an unexpected surge of candidates who overcame security measures and rushed into the gates," stated a release from the nation's military.
22 additional individuals were injured, among them 5 who remain in critical condition.
Thousands had gathered at El-Wak stadium, in the capital, the capital, with the hope of enlisting in the military.
Ghana has a youth unemployment rate of approximately 32%, the most recent government statistics show, and such enlistment drives normally attract large crowds and often result in chaotic scenes.
The deadline to apply for this recruitment was extended by a week to allow for additional candidates, as a number had experienced difficulties 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 visited the injured in hospital.
Order has been restored, and the enlistment process has since begun.
