At Least 6 Lose Their Lives in Stampede at Ghanaian Military Recruitment Drive
No fewer than six people have lost their lives amid a stampede at a armed forces enlistment event held in a sports arena in the West African nation.
The Wednesday's "tragic" incident seems to have been triggered by "a sudden rush of candidates who breached security protocols and rushed into the gates," stated a release from Ghana's armed forces.
Twenty-two others were hurt, 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 joining the military.
Ghana has a youth unemployment rate of approximately 32%, the latest official data show, and such recruitment events normally draw large crowds and often lead to disorderly situations.
The closing date to submit applications for this event was extended by a seven days to allow for additional candidates, as a number had faced challenges in the process.
Army spokesperson Capt Veronica Adzo Arhin said the stampede took place ahead of the event's scheduled start of 06:20 GMT.
The nation's leader John Mahama has visited the wounded in medical care.
Order has been reestablished, and the enlistment process has since begun.
