At Least Six Perish in Stampede at Ghana Armed Forces Enlistment Event
No fewer than 6 individuals have died amid a crowd crush at a military recruitment event held in a stadium in the West African nation.
The midweek "devastating" event seems to have been caused by "a sudden rush of candidates who breached security protocols and stormed the entrances," stated a release from the nation's military.
22 additional individuals were injured, among them five who are in serious state.
A large crowd had gathered at the El-Wak sports venue, in the capital, the capital, with the aspiration of enlisting in the armed forces.
Ghana has a youth unemployment rate of approximately 32%, the most recent government statistics indicate, and such recruitment events normally draw massive gatherings and often lead to chaotic scenes.
The deadline to apply for this recruitment was prolonged for a seven days to accommodate more applicants, as some had faced difficulties in the application procedure.
Military representative Captain Veronica Adzo Arhin stated the stampede took place ahead of the planned commencement time of 06:20 GMT.
Ghana's President President John Mahama has visited the wounded in medical care.
Calm has been restored, and the recruitment exercise has since begun.
