At Least Six Lose Their Lives in Crowd Crush at Ghana Armed Forces Enlistment Drive
No fewer than 6 people have lost their lives amid a stampede at a military recruitment gathering held in a sports arena in Ghana.
The Wednesday's "tragic" incident seems to have been triggered by "an unexpected surge of applicants who overcame security measures and stormed the gates," announced a release from Ghana's armed forces.
Twenty-two others were hurt, including 5 who are in critical condition.
Thousands had turned up at the El-Wak sports venue, in the capital, the capital, with the hope of joining the armed forces.
The country has a youth unemployment rate of about 32%, the most recent official data show, and such enlistment drives normally attract massive gatherings and frequently result in chaotic scenes.
The deadline to apply for this event was extended by a seven days to allow for more applicants, as a number had experienced difficulties in the process.
Military representative Capt Veronica Adzo Arhin stated the stampede occurred before the planned commencement time of 06:20 GMT.
Ghana's President President John Mahama has gone to see the injured in hospital.
Calm has been reestablished, and the enlistment process has now begun.
