At Least Six Lose Their Lives in Stampede at Ghanaian Armed Forces Enlistment Event
At least 6 people have died during a stampede at a armed forces enlistment event held in a sports arena in the West African nation.
The midweek "tragic" incident appeared to have been triggered by "a sudden rush of candidates who breached security protocols and rushed into the gates," announced a release from the nation's military.
22 others were injured, including 5 who are in serious state.
A large crowd had gathered at the El-Wak sports venue, in the capital, Accra, with the hope of joining the armed forces.
The country has a rate of joblessness among young people of about thirty-two percent, the latest official data show, and such recruitment events normally draw large crowds and frequently lead to chaotic scenes.
The deadline to apply for this recruitment was extended by a week to allow for additional candidates, as some had experienced difficulties in the process.
Army spokesperson Captain Veronica Adzo Arhin stated the crush took place before the planned commencement time of 6:20 AM Greenwich Mean Time.
The nation's leader President John Mahama has gone to see the wounded in medical care.
Calm has been reestablished, and the enlistment process has since begun.
