At Least Six Lose Their Lives in Stampede at Ghana Armed Forces Enlistment Event
At least 6 individuals have lost their lives during a crowd crush at a armed forces enlistment gathering held in a sports arena in the West African nation.
The midweek "devastating" incident appeared to have been triggered by "a sudden rush of candidates who overcame security measures and stormed the gates," announced a statement from the nation's military.
22 others were injured, including five who are in critical condition.
Thousands had turned up at the El-Wak sports venue, in the capital, the capital, with the aspiration of enlisting in the armed forces.
The country has a youth unemployment rate of about 32%, the latest official data indicate, and such enlistment drives normally attract massive gatherings and often result in disorderly situations.
The closing date to apply for this event was extended by a week to allow for additional candidates, as a number had faced challenges in the application procedure.
Army spokesperson Captain Veronica Adzo Arhin said the crush took place ahead of the planned commencement time of 6:20 AM Greenwich Mean Time.
The nation's leader John Mahama has gone to see the injured in medical care.
Order has been restored, and the enlistment process has since started.
