At Least 6 Perish in Stampede at Ghanaian Military Recruitment Drive
No fewer than six people have lost their lives during a crowd crush at a military recruitment gathering held in a sports arena in the West African nation.
The midweek "devastating" incident appeared to have been triggered by "a sudden rush of candidates who breached security protocols and rushed into the entrances," stated a release from Ghana's armed forces.
22 others were injured, among them five who are in serious state.
Thousands had gathered at the El-Wak sports venue, in the main city, Accra, with the aspiration of joining the military.
The country has a youth unemployment rate of approximately thirty-two percent, the latest government statistics show, and such enlistment drives normally draw massive gatherings and frequently lead to disorderly situations.
The deadline to apply for this event was extended by a week to accommodate more applicants, as a number had experienced difficulties in the process.
Military representative Capt Veronica Adzo Arhin said the stampede occurred ahead of the event's scheduled start of 6:20 AM Greenwich Mean Time.
Ghana's President President John Mahama has visited the wounded in hospital.
Order has been restored, and the enlistment process has since begun.
