At Least Six Lose Their Lives in Crowd Crush at Ghanaian Armed Forces Enlistment Drive
At least six individuals have lost their lives during a crowd crush at a military recruitment event held in a stadium in Ghana.
The Wednesday's "tragic" event appeared to have been triggered by "a sudden rush of applicants who breached security protocols and stormed the entrances," stated a release from the nation's military.
Twenty-two others were hurt, among them 5 who remain in serious state.
Thousands had turned up at El-Wak stadium, in the main city, the capital, with the aspiration of joining the military.
Ghana has a youth unemployment rate of approximately thirty-two percent, the most recent official data show, and such recruitment events typically draw massive gatherings and frequently result in disorderly situations.
The closing date to submit applications for this recruitment was extended by a seven days to accommodate more applicants, as some had faced difficulties in the process.
Army spokesperson Capt Veronica Adzo Arhin said the crush occurred before the planned commencement time of 06:20 GMT.
Ghana's President John Mahama has gone to see the injured in medical care.
Order has been restored, and the enlistment process has now begun.
