At Least Six Perish in Stampede at Ghana 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 sports arena in the West African nation.
The midweek "devastating" event seems to have been triggered by "an unexpected surge of applicants who overcame security measures and rushed into the gates," announced a release from the nation's military.
22 additional individuals were injured, including five who are in serious state.
Thousands had turned up at the El-Wak sports venue, in the main city, Accra, with the aspiration of joining the military.
Ghana has a rate of joblessness among young people of approximately 32%, the latest government statistics indicate, and such enlistment drives typically attract massive gatherings and often lead to chaotic scenes.
The deadline to apply for this event was extended by a week to allow for more applicants, as a number had faced difficulties in the process.
Military representative Capt Veronica Adzo Arhin stated the stampede occurred 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 hospital.
Calm has been reestablished, and the recruitment exercise has since started.
