No Fewer Than Six Perish in Stampede at Ghanaian Armed Forces Enlistment Event
At least 6 people have died during a stampede at a armed forces enlistment gathering held in a sports arena in Ghana.
The Wednesday's "devastating" event appeared to have been triggered by "a sudden rush of candidates who overcame security measures and rushed into the gates," announced a release from the nation's military.
Twenty-two additional individuals were injured, including five who remain in critical condition.
A large crowd had turned up at the El-Wak sports venue, in the capital, Accra, with the hope of joining the military.
The country has a rate of joblessness among young people of about 32%, the most recent government statistics show, and such enlistment drives normally attract large crowds and often lead to chaotic scenes.
The deadline to submit applications for this recruitment was extended by a week to allow for more applicants, as a number had experienced challenges in the application procedure.
Army spokesperson Captain Veronica Adzo Arhin stated the stampede took place ahead of the planned commencement time of 06:20 GMT.
Ghana's President John Mahama has gone to see the wounded in hospital.
Calm has been reestablished, and the recruitment exercise has since started.
