No Fewer Than 6 Lose Their Lives in Stampede at Ghana Military Recruitment Event
At least six individuals have died during a stampede at a armed forces enlistment gathering held in a sports arena in Ghana.
The Wednesday's "tragic" event seems to have been caused by "a sudden rush of applicants who overcame security measures and rushed into the gates," stated a statement from the nation's military.
Twenty-two others were hurt, among them five who remain in critical condition.
A large crowd had gathered at El-Wak stadium, in the capital, the capital, with the hope of enlisting in the military.
Ghana has a youth unemployment rate of approximately thirty-two percent, the latest official data show, and such recruitment events typically draw large crowds and often result in disorderly situations.
The closing date to apply for this recruitment was extended by a seven days to accommodate additional candidates, as some had faced difficulties in the process.
Army spokesperson Capt Veronica Adzo Arhin stated the crush took place before the planned commencement time of 06:20 GMT.
Ghana's President John Mahama has gone to see the injured in medical care.
Order has been reestablished, and the recruitment exercise has now started.
