No Fewer Than Six Lose Their Lives in Stampede at Ghana Armed Forces Enlistment Drive
At least six individuals have lost their lives during a crowd crush at a armed forces enlistment event held in a sports arena in Ghana.
The midweek "tragic" incident appeared to have been triggered by "an unexpected surge of candidates who overcame security measures and rushed into the entrances," announced a release from the nation's military.
Twenty-two others were hurt, among them five who are in critical condition.
A large crowd had gathered at the El-Wak sports venue, in the main city, Accra, with the hope of joining the military.
Ghana has a rate of joblessness among young people of approximately thirty-two percent, the most recent official data show, and such enlistment drives typically attract massive gatherings and frequently result in chaotic scenes.
The closing date to apply for this event was prolonged for a week to allow for more applicants, as a number had experienced challenges in the application procedure.
Army spokesperson Captain Veronica Adzo Arhin stated the stampede occurred ahead of the planned commencement time of 6:20 AM Greenwich Mean Time.
Ghana's President President John Mahama has gone to see the injured in hospital.
Order has been restored, and the enlistment process has now begun.
