No Fewer Than Six Lose Their Lives in Crowd Crush at Ghana Military Recruitment Event
At least 6 people have lost their lives amid a stampede at a armed forces enlistment event held in a sports arena in the West African nation.
The Wednesday's "tragic" event appeared to have been caused by "an unexpected surge of candidates who overcame security measures and rushed into the gates," announced a release from the nation's military.
Twenty-two others were hurt, among them five who are in critical condition.
Thousands had turned up at the El-Wak sports venue, in the main city, the capital, with the hope of joining the military.
The country has a rate of joblessness among young people of about thirty-two percent, the latest official data show, and such recruitment events normally draw large crowds and often result in chaotic scenes.
The closing date to submit applications for this event was prolonged for a seven days to accommodate more applicants, as a number had experienced difficulties in the application procedure.
Army spokesperson Captain Veronica Adzo Arhin stated the stampede occurred ahead of the planned commencement time of 06:20 GMT.
The nation's leader John Mahama has gone to see the wounded in hospital.
Calm has been reestablished, and the enlistment process has since begun.
