At Least Six Perish in Stampede at Ghana Armed Forces Enlistment Event
No fewer than 6 individuals have lost their lives during a stampede at a armed forces enlistment event held in a stadium in the West African nation.
The midweek "devastating" incident seems to have been caused by "an unexpected surge of candidates who breached security protocols and stormed the entrances," announced a statement from the nation's military.
Twenty-two additional individuals were hurt, among them five who remain in serious state.
A large crowd had gathered at the El-Wak sports venue, in the main city, Accra, with the hope of joining the armed forces.
Ghana has a rate of joblessness among young people of about thirty-two percent, the most recent official data show, and such recruitment events typically attract large crowds and frequently result in disorderly situations.
The closing date to apply for this event was extended by a seven days to accommodate additional candidates, as a number had experienced challenges in the application procedure.
Military representative Captain Veronica Adzo Arhin stated the crush took place ahead of the event's scheduled start of 06:20 GMT.
The nation's leader President John Mahama has gone to see the wounded in medical care.
Calm has been restored, and the enlistment process has now begun.
