At Least Six Lose Their Lives in Stampede at Ghanaian Military Recruitment Drive
No fewer than 6 individuals have died amid a stampede at a armed forces enlistment gathering held in a sports arena in the West African nation.
The Wednesday's "tragic" incident seems to have been caused by "a sudden rush of applicants who overcame security measures and rushed into the gates," stated a statement from the nation's military.
Twenty-two additional individuals were hurt, including 5 who remain in serious state.
A large crowd had gathered at the El-Wak sports venue, in the capital, the capital, with the hope of enlisting in the military.
The country has a youth unemployment rate of approximately thirty-two percent, the most recent government statistics show, and such enlistment drives typically draw massive gatherings and often lead to disorderly situations.
The closing date to apply for this recruitment was prolonged for a seven days to allow for more applicants, as a number had experienced difficulties in the process.
Army spokesperson Captain Veronica Adzo Arhin said the crush took place before the event's scheduled start of 06:20 GMT.
The nation's leader John Mahama has visited the injured in hospital.
Order has been reestablished, and the recruitment exercise has since started.
