At Least Six Perish in Stampede at Ghana Armed Forces Enlistment Drive
No fewer than six people have died during a crowd crush at a military recruitment gathering held in a sports arena in the West African nation.
The midweek "tragic" incident appeared to have been caused by "an unexpected surge of applicants who breached security protocols and stormed the gates," stated a release from the nation's military.
22 additional individuals were injured, including 5 who remain in critical condition.
Thousands had gathered at El-Wak stadium, in the capital, Accra, with the hope of enlisting in the military.
The country has a youth unemployment rate of about thirty-two percent, the most recent government statistics show, and such recruitment events typically draw massive gatherings and frequently result in disorderly situations.
The closing date to submit applications for this recruitment was extended by a seven days to accommodate more applicants, as some had experienced difficulties in the application procedure.
Army spokesperson Captain Veronica Adzo Arhin said the crush occurred before the event's scheduled start of 06:20 GMT.
The nation's leader John Mahama has gone to see the wounded in medical care.
Order has been restored, and the recruitment exercise has now begun.
