No Fewer Than Six Lose Their Lives in Stampede at Ghana Military Recruitment Event
At least six people have lost their lives during a stampede at a armed forces enlistment event held in a sports arena in Ghana.
The midweek "devastating" event appeared to have been triggered by "an unexpected surge of applicants who breached security protocols and rushed into the entrances," announced a release from the nation's military.
Twenty-two additional individuals were injured, among them five who are in serious state.
Thousands had gathered at El-Wak stadium, in the main city, Accra, with the hope of enlisting in the military.
Ghana has a rate of joblessness among young people of approximately 32%, the most recent government statistics indicate, and such recruitment events typically draw massive gatherings and frequently result in chaotic scenes.
The closing date to submit applications for this event was prolonged for a seven days to accommodate additional candidates, as some had faced difficulties in the process.
Army spokesperson Captain 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 wounded in medical care.
Calm has been reestablished, and the recruitment exercise has since started.
