At Least Six Perish in Stampede at Ghana Armed Forces Enlistment Drive
No fewer than six individuals have lost their lives during a stampede at a armed forces enlistment gathering held in a sports arena in Ghana.
The Wednesday's "tragic" incident appeared to have been triggered by "an unexpected surge of applicants who breached security protocols and stormed the gates," stated a statement from the nation's military.
Twenty-two others were injured, among them five who are in critical condition.
A large crowd had turned up at El-Wak stadium, in the capital, Accra, with the hope of enlisting in the armed forces.
The country has a rate of joblessness among young people of about 32%, the most recent official data show, and such recruitment events normally draw massive gatherings and frequently result in disorderly situations.
The closing date to apply for this recruitment was extended by a week to accommodate additional candidates, as a number had experienced difficulties in the process.
Military representative Captain Veronica Adzo Arhin stated the crush occurred before the planned commencement time of 06:20 GMT.
Ghana's President President John Mahama has visited the wounded in hospital.
Order has been reestablished, and the recruitment exercise has since started.
