At Least Six Perish in Stampede at Ghanaian Military Recruitment Drive
At least six individuals have lost their lives during a stampede at a military recruitment gathering held in a sports arena in the West African nation.
The Wednesday's "devastating" incident appeared to have been triggered by "an unexpected surge of candidates who overcame security measures and rushed into the gates," stated a release from Ghana's armed forces.
Twenty-two others were hurt, including five who remain in critical condition.
Thousands had turned up at the El-Wak sports venue, in the capital, Accra, with the hope of enlisting in the military.
The country has a rate of joblessness among young people of about thirty-two percent, the latest official data show, and such enlistment drives normally draw large crowds and frequently result in chaotic scenes.
The deadline to apply for this event was prolonged for a week to allow for more applicants, as some had faced difficulties in the application procedure.
Army spokesperson Capt Veronica Adzo Arhin stated the crush occurred before the planned commencement time of 06:20 GMT.
The nation's leader John Mahama has visited the injured in medical care.
Calm has been reestablished, and the recruitment exercise has now begun.
