At Least 6 Lose Their Lives in Crowd Crush at Ghana Military Recruitment Event
At least six individuals have lost their lives amid a stampede at a military recruitment gathering held in a stadium in Ghana.
The midweek "tragic" event seems to have been caused by "an unexpected surge of candidates who breached security protocols and rushed into the gates," stated a release from the nation's military.
Twenty-two others were hurt, among them five who remain in serious state.
Thousands had turned up at the El-Wak sports venue, in the main city, the capital, with the aspiration of joining the armed forces.
Ghana 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 frequently result in disorderly situations.
The deadline to apply for this recruitment was extended by a seven days to allow for more applicants, as a number had experienced difficulties in the process.
Military representative Capt Veronica Adzo Arhin stated the crush took place before the planned commencement time of 06:20 GMT.
The nation's leader President John Mahama has visited the wounded in hospital.
Calm has been restored, and the enlistment process has now started.
