At Least 6 Lose Their Lives in Stampede at Ghanaian Military Recruitment Drive
At least six people have lost their lives during a crowd crush at a military recruitment gathering held in a sports arena in Ghana.
The midweek "devastating" incident seems to have been triggered by "an unexpected surge of candidates who breached security protocols and stormed the entrances," stated a release from the nation's military.
22 others were injured, including five who are in serious state.
A large crowd had gathered at the El-Wak sports venue, in the main city, the capital, with the aspiration of enlisting in the armed forces.
The country has a rate of joblessness among young people of about 32%, the most recent official data show, and such recruitment events typically attract massive gatherings and often result in disorderly situations.
The deadline to submit applications for this event was extended by a week to allow for additional candidates, as some had experienced challenges in the process.
Army spokesperson Captain Veronica Adzo Arhin stated the stampede took place ahead of the planned commencement time of 6:20 AM Greenwich Mean Time.
Ghana's President President John Mahama has gone to see the injured in medical care.
Order has been reestablished, and the enlistment process has since started.
