No Fewer Than 6 Lose Their Lives in Stampede at Ghana Armed Forces Enlistment Drive
No fewer than six individuals have lost their lives during a crowd crush at a armed forces enlistment event held in a sports arena in Ghana.
The Wednesday's "devastating" event seems to have been triggered by "a sudden rush of applicants who breached security protocols and stormed the entrances," announced a release from the nation's military.
22 others were hurt, among them five who are in serious state.
Thousands had gathered at the El-Wak sports venue, in the main city, the capital, with the aspiration of joining the armed forces.
The country has a youth unemployment rate of about 32%, the latest government statistics indicate, and such recruitment events normally draw large crowds and frequently lead to chaotic scenes.
The closing date to apply for this event was extended by a week to accommodate more applicants, as some had experienced challenges in the process.
Military representative Capt Veronica Adzo Arhin stated the crush took place ahead of the planned commencement time of 06:20 GMT.
The nation's leader President John Mahama has gone to see the injured in hospital.
Calm has been reestablished, and the enlistment process has since begun.
