At Least 6 Lose Their Lives in Stampede at Ghana Armed Forces Enlistment Event
At least six individuals have lost their lives during a crowd crush at a armed forces enlistment gathering held in a stadium in Ghana.
The midweek "tragic" incident seems to have been triggered by "a sudden rush of candidates who overcame security measures and rushed into the gates," stated a statement from Ghana's armed forces.
22 additional individuals were hurt, among them five who remain in critical condition.
A large crowd had turned up at El-Wak stadium, in the main city, the capital, with the hope of enlisting in the armed forces.
The country has a youth unemployment rate of approximately 32%, the latest government statistics show, and such recruitment events normally draw large crowds and often result in chaotic scenes.
The closing date to submit applications for this recruitment was prolonged for a seven days to accommodate additional candidates, as a number had faced challenges in the application procedure.
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 medical care.
Order has been reestablished, and the enlistment process has since begun.
