At Least Six Lose Their Lives in Stampede at Ghanaian Military Recruitment Event
No fewer than 6 people have lost their lives amid a stampede at a military recruitment event held in a sports arena in the West African nation.
The midweek "devastating" event seems to have been caused by "a sudden rush of applicants who breached security protocols and rushed into the entrances," stated a release from Ghana's armed forces.
22 additional individuals were hurt, among them 5 who are in critical condition.
A large crowd had gathered at El-Wak stadium, in the capital, Accra, with the aspiration of joining the military.
Ghana has a youth unemployment rate of approximately thirty-two percent, the latest official data show, and such recruitment events typically draw massive gatherings and frequently result in disorderly situations.
The deadline to apply for this event was extended by a week to allow for more applicants, as some had faced difficulties in the application procedure.
Army spokesperson Capt Veronica Adzo Arhin said the crush took place before the planned commencement time of 06:20 GMT.
Ghana's President John Mahama has gone to see the wounded in medical care.
Calm has been reestablished, and the recruitment exercise has now begun.
