No Fewer Than Six Perish in Stampede at Ghana Armed Forces Enlistment Event
No fewer than 6 people have lost their lives amid a stampede at a armed forces enlistment gathering held in a stadium in Ghana.
The midweek "devastating" event appeared to have been caused by "an unexpected surge of candidates who overcame security measures and stormed the gates," stated a release from the nation's military.
Twenty-two others were injured, including 5 who are in critical condition.
A large crowd had turned up at El-Wak stadium, in the capital, the capital, with the hope of joining the military.
The country has a youth unemployment rate of approximately 32%, the latest government statistics show, and such recruitment events normally draw large crowds and often lead to disorderly situations.
The closing date to submit applications for this event was prolonged for a week to accommodate more applicants, as some had faced challenges in the application procedure.
Army spokesperson Captain Veronica Adzo Arhin stated the crush took place ahead of the event's scheduled start of 06:20 GMT.
The nation's leader John Mahama has visited the wounded in hospital.
Order has been restored, and the enlistment process has now begun.
