At Least Six Lose Their Lives in Stampede at Ghana Armed Forces Enlistment Drive
At least 6 people have died during a stampede at a armed forces enlistment gathering held in a sports arena in the West African nation.
The Wednesday's "tragic" incident appeared to have been caused by "an unexpected surge of applicants who overcame security measures and rushed into the gates," announced a release from Ghana's armed forces.
22 others were injured, including five who remain in critical condition.
A large crowd had gathered at El-Wak stadium, in the main city, Accra, with the hope of joining the armed forces.
The country has a youth unemployment rate of approximately 32%, the most recent government statistics indicate, and such recruitment events typically attract large crowds and often result in chaotic scenes.
The closing date to submit applications for this event was extended by a seven days to accommodate more applicants, as some had experienced challenges in the application procedure.
Military representative Captain Veronica Adzo Arhin said the stampede took place before the planned commencement time of 6:20 AM Greenwich Mean Time.
The nation's leader President John Mahama has gone to see the wounded in medical care.
Calm has been restored, and the enlistment process has since begun.
