At Least 6 Perish in Stampede at Ghanaian Military Recruitment Event
No fewer than six people have died amid a stampede at a military recruitment gathering held in a sports arena in the West African nation.
The Wednesday's "devastating" event seems to have been triggered by "a sudden rush of applicants who overcame security measures and rushed into the entrances," stated a release from Ghana's armed forces.
Twenty-two additional individuals were injured, including 5 who remain in serious state.
Thousands had gathered at the El-Wak sports venue, in the capital, Accra, with the hope of joining the armed forces.
Ghana has a youth unemployment rate of approximately thirty-two percent, the most recent official data indicate, and such enlistment drives typically attract large crowds and frequently lead to disorderly situations.
The closing date to apply for this event was extended by a seven days to allow for more applicants, as some had faced difficulties in the process.
Military representative Captain Veronica Adzo Arhin said the crush occurred before the planned commencement time of 06:20 GMT.
The nation's leader John Mahama has gone to see the wounded in medical care.
Calm has been restored, and the enlistment process has since started.
