At Least 6 Lose Their Lives in Crowd Crush at Ghana Armed Forces Enlistment Event
No fewer than 6 people have lost their lives amid a stampede at a armed forces enlistment gathering held in a stadium in the West African nation.
The Wednesday's "devastating" incident appeared to have been caused by "a sudden rush of candidates who overcame security measures and rushed into the entrances," stated a statement from the nation's military.
22 others were injured, including 5 who are in serious state.
Thousands had turned up at the El-Wak sports venue, in the main city, the capital, with the aspiration of joining the military.
Ghana has a youth unemployment rate of about 32%, the most recent official data show, and such enlistment drives typically draw massive gatherings and frequently result in chaotic scenes.
The closing date to submit applications for this recruitment was extended by a week to accommodate more applicants, as a number had faced challenges in the process.
Military representative Captain Veronica Adzo Arhin stated the stampede 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 wounded in medical care.
Calm has been restored, and the enlistment process has now begun.
