At Least 6 Lose Their Lives in Stampede at Ghana Armed Forces Enlistment Drive
No fewer than 6 people have died amid a crowd crush at a military recruitment gathering held in a sports arena in Ghana.
The Wednesday's "devastating" event seems to have been caused by "a sudden rush of candidates who breached security protocols and stormed the entrances," announced a statement from Ghana's armed forces.
Twenty-two additional individuals were injured, including five who are in serious state.
Thousands had gathered at El-Wak stadium, in the capital, the capital, with the aspiration of joining the military.
Ghana has a youth unemployment rate of approximately 32%, the most recent government statistics show, and such recruitment events typically draw large crowds and frequently result in disorderly situations.
The deadline to apply for this event was extended by a seven days to accommodate more applicants, as some had experienced challenges in the application procedure.
Army spokesperson Capt Veronica Adzo Arhin stated the stampede occurred before the event's scheduled start of 06:20 GMT.
Ghana's President John Mahama has gone to see the wounded in medical care.
Calm has been restored, and the recruitment exercise has since started.
