No Fewer Than Six Lose Their Lives in Stampede at Ghana Military Recruitment Event
At least six individuals have lost their lives during a stampede at a armed forces enlistment event held in a sports arena in Ghana.
The midweek "devastating" event appeared to have been triggered by "an unexpected surge of candidates who breached security protocols and rushed into the entrances," stated a statement from Ghana's armed forces.
Twenty-two others were hurt, including five who are in serious state.
A large crowd had turned up at El-Wak stadium, in the capital, Accra, with the aspiration of enlisting in the military.
Ghana has a youth unemployment rate of about 32%, the most recent official data indicate, and such enlistment drives typically draw large crowds and frequently result in disorderly situations.
The deadline to apply for this recruitment was prolonged for a week to accommodate more applicants, as some had faced difficulties in the application procedure.
Military representative Capt Veronica Adzo Arhin said the stampede took place before the planned commencement time of 06:20 GMT.
Ghana's President John Mahama has gone to see the wounded in medical care.
Order has been reestablished, and the recruitment exercise has since started.
