At Least Six Lose Their Lives in Stampede at Ghanaian Military Recruitment Drive
No fewer than 6 people have lost their lives amid a crowd crush at a armed forces enlistment gathering held in a stadium in Ghana.
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 others were hurt, including five who remain in serious state.
Thousands had gathered at the El-Wak sports venue, in the capital, Accra, with the hope of enlisting in the military.
Ghana has a youth unemployment rate of about thirty-two percent, the most recent official data indicate, and such enlistment drives typically draw large crowds and often result in disorderly situations.
The closing date to apply for this event was prolonged for a seven days to allow for additional candidates, as some had experienced difficulties in the process.
Military representative Capt Veronica Adzo Arhin stated the stampede took place ahead of the event's scheduled start of 6:20 AM Greenwich Mean Time.
The nation's leader John Mahama has visited the injured in hospital.
Order has been restored, and the recruitment exercise has now begun.
