At Least 6 Perish in Crowd Crush at Ghana Military Recruitment Drive
No fewer than 6 people have died during a stampede at a military recruitment gathering held in a sports arena in Ghana.
The Wednesday's "tragic" event seems to have been caused by "an unexpected surge of candidates who overcame security measures and rushed into the entrances," stated a release from Ghana's armed forces.
22 others were injured, including 5 who are in serious state.
A large crowd had gathered at El-Wak stadium, in the capital, the capital, with the hope of enlisting in the armed forces.
The country has a rate of joblessness among young people of about 32%, the most recent government statistics show, and such recruitment events typically attract massive gatherings and often result in chaotic scenes.
The deadline to submit applications for this recruitment was prolonged for a seven days to allow for additional candidates, as some had experienced challenges in the process.
Army spokesperson Captain Veronica Adzo Arhin said the stampede took place before the planned commencement time of 6:20 AM Greenwich Mean Time.
Ghana's President John Mahama has gone to see the wounded in medical care.
Order has been reestablished, and the recruitment exercise has now begun.