No Fewer Than 6 Perish in Stampede at Ghana Armed Forces Enlistment Drive
At least 6 people have lost their lives amid a stampede at a military recruitment gathering held in a stadium in Ghana.
The midweek "tragic" incident appeared to have been caused by "a sudden rush of candidates who overcame security measures and rushed into the entrances," stated a release from the nation's military.
Twenty-two additional individuals were injured, among them five who are in critical condition.
A large crowd had turned up at the El-Wak sports venue, in the main city, Accra, with the hope of enlisting in the armed forces.
The country has a rate of joblessness among young people of approximately thirty-two percent, the latest official data indicate, and such enlistment drives typically attract large crowds and often lead to chaotic scenes.
The closing date to submit applications for this event was prolonged for a week to accommodate more applicants, as a number had experienced difficulties in the application procedure.
Army spokesperson Capt Veronica Adzo Arhin stated the stampede occurred before the planned commencement time of 6:20 AM Greenwich Mean Time.
The nation's leader President John Mahama has gone to see the injured in medical care.
Order has been reestablished, and the enlistment process has now started.