At Least 6 Perish in Stampede at Ghanaian Armed Forces Enlistment Drive
At least six individuals have lost their lives during a stampede at a military recruitment event held in a sports arena in Ghana.
The Wednesday's "tragic" incident seems to have been triggered by "a sudden rush of applicants who overcame security measures and stormed the entrances," stated a release from the nation's military.
Twenty-two additional individuals were hurt, among them 5 who are in serious state.
Thousands had gathered at the El-Wak sports venue, in the capital, the capital, with the hope of joining the military.
Ghana has a rate of joblessness among young people of about 32%, the latest government statistics show, and such enlistment drives normally attract large crowds and often result in chaotic scenes.
The closing date to apply for this recruitment was prolonged for a seven days to allow for additional candidates, as a number had experienced difficulties in the application procedure.
Army spokesperson Captain Veronica Adzo Arhin said the crush occurred 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 restored, and the enlistment process has since begun.
