No Fewer Than 6 Lose Their Lives in Stampede at Ghana Military Recruitment Drive
No fewer than 6 people have died amid a stampede at a military recruitment gathering held in a stadium in Ghana.
The Wednesday's "devastating" incident seems to have been caused by "an unexpected surge of candidates who overcame security measures and stormed the gates," stated a release from the nation's military.
Twenty-two additional individuals were hurt, among them five who remain in serious state.
Thousands had gathered at the El-Wak sports venue, in the main city, Accra, with the hope of joining the military.
Ghana has a rate of joblessness among young people of approximately 32%, the latest official data show, and such recruitment events typically draw large crowds and frequently result in disorderly situations.
The deadline to apply for this event was prolonged for a week to accommodate more applicants, as some had experienced difficulties in the application procedure.
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 gone to see the injured in medical care.
Order has been restored, and the enlistment process has since started.
