No Fewer Than 6 Perish in Stampede at Ghanaian Armed Forces Enlistment Drive
At least six individuals have died during a stampede at a military recruitment gathering held in a sports arena in Ghana.
The midweek "devastating" incident appeared to have been triggered by "an unexpected surge of applicants who overcame security measures and stormed the gates," stated a statement from the nation's military.
22 others were hurt, including five who are in serious state.
A large crowd had turned up at the El-Wak sports venue, in the main city, the capital, with the hope of joining the military.
Ghana has a youth unemployment rate of about thirty-two percent, the latest official data indicate, and such recruitment events normally attract large crowds and often lead to chaotic scenes.
The deadline to submit applications for this event was extended by a week to allow for additional candidates, as some had faced difficulties in the process.
Army spokesperson Capt Veronica Adzo Arhin stated the stampede occurred before the planned commencement time of 06:20 GMT.
The nation's leader President John Mahama has visited the wounded in medical care.
Order has been reestablished, and the recruitment exercise has now started.
