At Least Six Lose Their Lives in Stampede at Ghana Armed Forces Enlistment Drive
No fewer than six people have died amid a crowd crush at a armed forces enlistment event held in a sports arena in Ghana.
The Wednesday's "tragic" incident appeared to have been triggered by "an unexpected surge of applicants who breached security protocols and stormed the gates," stated a release from Ghana's armed forces.
22 additional individuals were injured, among them five who are in critical condition.
A large crowd had gathered at El-Wak stadium, in the capital, the capital, with the hope of joining the military.
Ghana has a youth unemployment rate of approximately thirty-two percent, the most recent government statistics show, and such recruitment events normally attract large crowds and frequently result in disorderly situations.
The closing date to apply for this recruitment was prolonged for a seven days to allow for additional candidates, as a number had faced difficulties in the process.
Military representative Captain Veronica Adzo Arhin said the crush occurred before the event's scheduled start of 06:20 GMT.
The nation's leader John Mahama has visited the wounded in hospital.
Calm has been reestablished, and the enlistment process has since started.
