At Least Six Lose Their Lives in Stampede at Ghanaian Armed Forces Enlistment Drive
At least 6 people have died during a crowd crush at a military recruitment gathering held in a stadium in Ghana.
The midweek "tragic" incident appeared to have been triggered by "a sudden rush of candidates who breached security protocols and rushed into the entrances," stated a release from the nation's military.
Twenty-two additional individuals were injured, including five who are in critical condition.
Thousands had gathered at the El-Wak sports venue, in the capital, the capital, with the aspiration of joining the military.
Ghana has a rate of joblessness among young people of approximately thirty-two percent, the latest official data show, and such enlistment drives typically attract massive gatherings and frequently result in chaotic scenes.
The deadline to submit applications for this event was prolonged for a seven days to accommodate more applicants, as some had experienced difficulties in the process.
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 gone to see the injured in hospital.
Order has been reestablished, and the enlistment process has since started.
