At Least Six Perish in Stampede at Ghana Military Recruitment Event
No fewer than six individuals have died amid a crowd crush at a armed forces enlistment gathering held in a sports arena in Ghana.
The Wednesday's "tragic" event appeared to have been triggered by "a sudden rush of candidates who overcame security measures and rushed into the entrances," announced a release from Ghana's armed forces.
22 others were injured, including 5 who remain in critical condition.
A large crowd had gathered at El-Wak stadium, in the main city, Accra, with the hope of enlisting in the military.
The country has a rate of joblessness among young people of approximately 32%, the most recent official data show, and such recruitment events typically draw large crowds and often lead to chaotic scenes.
The deadline to submit applications for this recruitment was prolonged for a week to allow for additional candidates, as some had experienced difficulties in the process.
Military representative Captain Veronica Adzo Arhin said the stampede took place ahead of the event's scheduled start of 6:20 AM Greenwich Mean Time.
The nation's leader John Mahama has visited the wounded in medical care.
Order has been restored, and the recruitment exercise has now begun.
