No Fewer Than 6 Lose Their Lives in Stampede at Ghanaian Armed Forces Enlistment Event
At least six people have died during a crowd crush at a military recruitment event held in a sports arena in Ghana.
The Wednesday's "devastating" event appeared to have been caused by "an unexpected surge of candidates who overcame security measures and rushed into the gates," stated a statement from the nation's military.
22 additional individuals were injured, including five who are in serious state.
Thousands had turned up at El-Wak stadium, in the main city, the capital, with the aspiration of enlisting in the armed forces.
Ghana has a youth unemployment rate of approximately 32%, the most recent official data show, and such recruitment events typically attract large crowds and often result in disorderly situations.
The closing date to apply for this recruitment was prolonged for a seven days to allow for additional candidates, as some had experienced challenges in the application procedure.
Army spokesperson Capt Veronica Adzo Arhin said the stampede occurred ahead of the planned commencement time of 06:20 GMT.
Ghana's President John Mahama has visited the injured in hospital.
Order has been reestablished, and the recruitment exercise has now begun.
