No Fewer Than Six Perish in Stampede at Ghanaian Military Recruitment Drive
No fewer than 6 people have lost their lives amid a stampede at a military recruitment event held in a sports arena in the West African nation.
The Wednesday's "devastating" incident seems to have been triggered by "a sudden rush of applicants who breached security protocols and stormed the entrances," announced a release from Ghana's armed forces.
22 additional individuals were hurt, including 5 who remain in critical condition.
A large crowd had gathered at the El-Wak sports venue, in the main city, the capital, with the hope of enlisting in the armed forces.
Ghana has a youth unemployment rate of approximately 32%, the most recent official data indicate, and such recruitment events normally draw large crowds and often result in chaotic scenes.
The deadline to submit applications for this recruitment was prolonged for a seven days to accommodate more applicants, as a number had experienced difficulties in the process.
Army spokesperson Captain Veronica Adzo Arhin said the crush occurred before the event's scheduled start of 06:20 GMT.
Ghana's President President John Mahama has visited the wounded in medical care.
Order has been reestablished, and the recruitment exercise has since begun.
