At Least 6 Lose Their Lives in Stampede at Ghana Armed Forces Enlistment Event
At least six people have died amid a stampede at a military recruitment event held in a stadium in Ghana.
The midweek "devastating" event seems 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.
Twenty-two others were hurt, among them five who are in critical condition.
Thousands 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 latest government statistics show, and such recruitment events normally attract massive gatherings and frequently lead to disorderly situations.
The closing date to apply for this event was extended by a seven days to accommodate more applicants, as some had experienced difficulties in the application procedure.
Military representative Captain Veronica Adzo Arhin stated the crush took place before the planned commencement time of 6:20 AM Greenwich Mean Time.
Ghana's President John Mahama has gone to see the injured in medical care.
Order has been reestablished, and the enlistment process has now started.
