At Least 6 Lose Their Lives in Stampede at Ghanaian Military Recruitment Event
At least six individuals have died during a stampede at a military recruitment event held in a sports arena in the West African nation.
The Wednesday's "devastating" event appeared to have been caused by "a sudden rush of candidates who breached security protocols and stormed the gates," announced a release from Ghana's armed forces.
22 additional individuals were hurt, including 5 who remain in critical condition.
Thousands had turned up at El-Wak stadium, in the capital, Accra, with the aspiration of enlisting in the armed forces.
Ghana has a youth unemployment rate of about 32%, the latest government statistics show, and such enlistment drives normally draw massive gatherings and often lead to disorderly situations.
The closing date to apply for this recruitment was prolonged for a seven days to accommodate more applicants, as a number had experienced challenges in the process.
Military representative Captain Veronica Adzo Arhin stated the crush took place ahead of the planned commencement time of 6:20 AM Greenwich Mean Time.
Ghana's President John Mahama has gone to see the injured in medical care.
Order has been restored, and the recruitment exercise has since started.