No Fewer Than 6 Lose Their Lives in Stampede at Ghanaian Military Recruitment Event
No fewer than six people have died amid a crowd crush at a military recruitment gathering held in a stadium in the West African nation.
The midweek "tragic" event appeared to have been triggered by "a sudden rush of candidates who overcame security measures and rushed into the gates," stated a release from Ghana's armed forces.
22 additional individuals were hurt, among them five who remain in critical condition.
Thousands had gathered at El-Wak stadium, in the capital, the capital, with the aspiration of joining the armed forces.
Ghana has a youth unemployment rate of about 32%, the most recent government statistics indicate, and such recruitment events typically attract massive gatherings and often result in chaotic scenes.
The deadline to submit applications for this event was prolonged for a seven days to accommodate additional candidates, as some had experienced difficulties in the process.
Army spokesperson Capt Veronica Adzo Arhin said the stampede occurred ahead of the planned commencement time of 06:20 GMT.
The nation's leader President John Mahama has gone to see the injured in medical care.
Calm has been reestablished, and the recruitment exercise has now begun.
