No Fewer Than Six Lose Their Lives in Stampede at Ghana Military Recruitment Drive
At least 6 people have died amid a stampede at a armed forces enlistment event held in a stadium in Ghana.
The midweek "devastating" incident appeared to have been triggered by "an unexpected surge of applicants who breached security protocols and stormed the gates," announced a release from Ghana's armed forces.
Twenty-two others were hurt, 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 joining the armed forces.
The country has a youth unemployment rate of approximately 32%, the latest official data indicate, and such recruitment events normally attract large crowds and frequently lead to disorderly situations.
The deadline to submit applications for this recruitment was extended by a seven days to accommodate more applicants, as a number had experienced challenges in the application procedure.
Military representative Capt Veronica Adzo Arhin stated the stampede took place ahead of the planned commencement time of 06:20 GMT.
The nation's leader President John Mahama has visited the injured in hospital.
Order has been reestablished, and the enlistment process has since begun.
