No Fewer Than Six Lose Their Lives in Stampede at Ghanaian Armed Forces Enlistment Event
No fewer than six individuals have died during a stampede at a armed forces enlistment gathering held in a stadium in the West African nation.
The midweek "devastating" event appeared to have been caused by "a sudden rush of applicants who overcame security measures and stormed the entrances," stated a statement from the nation's military.
Twenty-two others were injured, including 5 who are in serious state.
A large crowd had turned up at El-Wak stadium, in the main city, the capital, with the aspiration of joining the military.
The country has a youth unemployment rate of approximately 32%, the most recent government statistics show, and such recruitment events normally draw large crowds and frequently lead to chaotic scenes.
The closing date to apply for this event was prolonged for a seven days to accommodate additional candidates, as a number had faced difficulties in the process.
Army spokesperson Captain Veronica Adzo Arhin said the crush took place ahead of the planned commencement time of 06:20 GMT.
The nation's leader President John Mahama has gone to see the injured in hospital.
Order has been reestablished, and the enlistment process has since started.
