No Fewer Than Six Lose Their Lives in Stampede at Ghanaian Military Recruitment Drive
At least 6 individuals have died during a stampede at a military recruitment event held in a sports arena in Ghana.
The midweek "tragic" incident seems to have been triggered by "a sudden rush of applicants who overcame security measures and rushed into the gates," announced a statement from Ghana's armed forces.
22 others were injured, including 5 who remain in serious state.
Thousands had gathered at the El-Wak sports venue, in the capital, the capital, with the aspiration of enlisting in the military.
The country has a youth unemployment rate of about 32%, the most recent government statistics show, and such recruitment events typically draw large crowds and frequently result in disorderly situations.
The closing date to submit applications for this recruitment was prolonged for a week to allow for additional candidates, as a number had faced challenges in the application procedure.
Army spokesperson Capt Veronica Adzo Arhin said the crush occurred ahead of the event's scheduled start of 06:20 GMT.
Ghana's President John Mahama has visited the wounded in medical care.
Calm has been restored, and the enlistment process has since begun.
