At Least Six Lose Their Lives in Stampede at Ghana Armed Forces Enlistment Drive
At least 6 people have lost their lives during a stampede at a armed forces enlistment event held in a stadium in the West African nation.
The Wednesday's "devastating" incident seems to have been triggered by "a sudden rush of candidates who breached security protocols and stormed the entrances," stated a statement from Ghana's armed forces.
Twenty-two additional individuals were hurt, including five who remain in serious state.
Thousands had turned up at the El-Wak sports venue, in the capital, Accra, with the hope of joining the armed forces.
The country has a youth unemployment rate of about 32%, the most recent official data show, and such recruitment events normally attract massive gatherings and frequently lead to disorderly situations.
The deadline to apply for this recruitment was prolonged for a seven days to accommodate additional candidates, as some had faced difficulties in the process.
Military representative Capt Veronica Adzo Arhin said the stampede took place before the event's scheduled start of 6:20 AM Greenwich Mean Time.
The nation's leader President John Mahama has visited the injured in hospital.
Calm has been reestablished, and the enlistment process has now started.
