No Fewer Than Six Perish in Stampede at Ghana Armed Forces Enlistment Drive
At least 6 people have lost their lives during a stampede at a armed forces enlistment event held in a sports arena in Ghana.
The midweek "devastating" event seems to have been triggered by "an unexpected surge of candidates who breached security protocols and stormed the entrances," announced a statement from the nation's military.
22 additional individuals were injured, among them 5 who are in serious state.
Thousands had turned up at El-Wak stadium, in the capital, Accra, with the aspiration of enlisting in the military.
Ghana has a rate of joblessness among young people of approximately 32%, the most recent official data indicate, and such recruitment events normally attract massive gatherings and frequently result in disorderly situations.
The closing date to apply for this event was prolonged for a seven days to allow for additional candidates, as a number had experienced challenges in the application procedure.
Army spokesperson Captain Veronica Adzo Arhin said the crush occurred ahead of the planned commencement time of 06:20 GMT.
Ghana's President John Mahama has visited the injured in hospital.
Calm has been reestablished, and the enlistment process has since started.
