No Fewer Than Six Perish in Stampede at Ghanaian Military Recruitment Drive
At least six individuals have died during a crowd crush at a armed forces enlistment gathering held in a stadium in Ghana.
The midweek "tragic" incident appeared to have been triggered by "an unexpected surge of candidates who overcame security measures and rushed into the gates," stated a statement from the nation's military.
22 others were hurt, including 5 who are in serious state.
Thousands had gathered at El-Wak stadium, in the capital, Accra, with the aspiration of joining the armed forces.
The country has a youth unemployment rate of about thirty-two percent, the most recent government statistics show, and such recruitment events typically attract massive gatherings and often lead to chaotic scenes.
The closing date to submit applications for this event was prolonged for a week to allow for additional candidates, as a number had experienced challenges in the application procedure.
Military representative Capt Veronica Adzo Arhin said the crush took place before the planned commencement time of 6:20 AM Greenwich Mean Time.
Ghana's President John Mahama has gone to see the injured in hospital.
Calm has been restored, and the recruitment exercise has since started.