At Least 6 Lose Their Lives in Stampede at Ghana Armed Forces Enlistment Event
No fewer than six people have died amid a stampede at a military recruitment event held in a sports arena in the West African nation.
The midweek "tragic" event appeared to have been triggered by "an unexpected surge of applicants who overcame security measures and stormed the entrances," stated a statement from the nation's military.
22 additional individuals were injured, including five who remain in serious state.
Thousands had gathered at the El-Wak sports venue, in the main city, Accra, with the hope of enlisting in the military.
The country has a youth unemployment rate of approximately thirty-two percent, the latest government statistics indicate, and such recruitment events normally attract large crowds and frequently lead to chaotic scenes.
The closing date to submit applications for this recruitment was extended by a seven days to accommodate more applicants, as some had experienced difficulties in the process.
Army spokesperson Captain Veronica Adzo Arhin said the crush took place ahead of the event's scheduled start of 6:20 AM Greenwich Mean Time.
The nation's leader John Mahama has visited the injured in medical care.
Calm has been restored, and the recruitment exercise has since begun.
