No Fewer Than 6 Lose Their Lives in Stampede at Ghana Armed Forces Enlistment Event
At least 6 people have died during a stampede at a military recruitment event held in a sports arena in Ghana.
The midweek "tragic" incident appeared to have been caused by "a sudden rush of candidates who breached security protocols and stormed the gates," announced a release from Ghana's armed forces.
22 others were injured, among them five who remain in critical condition.
A large crowd had gathered at El-Wak stadium, in the main city, Accra, with the hope of enlisting in the armed forces.
The country has a youth unemployment rate of about thirty-two percent, the most recent official data show, and such recruitment events normally draw massive gatherings and frequently result in chaotic scenes.
The deadline to submit applications for this recruitment was extended by a seven days to allow for more applicants, as a number had faced challenges in the application procedure.
Military representative Capt Veronica Adzo Arhin said the crush took place before the event's scheduled start of 06:20 GMT.
The nation's leader John Mahama has visited the injured in hospital.
Order has been reestablished, and the enlistment process has since begun.
