At Least 6 Perish in Stampede at Ghanaian Military Recruitment Event
No fewer than 6 people have lost their lives amid a crowd crush at a military recruitment event held in a sports arena in the West African nation.
The Wednesday's "devastating" incident appeared to have been triggered by "a sudden rush of candidates who overcame security measures and stormed the entrances," stated a release from the nation's military.
Twenty-two others were hurt, including five who are in critical condition.
A large crowd had gathered at El-Wak stadium, in the capital, the capital, with the aspiration of joining the military.
The country has a rate of joblessness among young people of about 32%, the latest government statistics indicate, and such enlistment drives normally draw large crowds and frequently result in chaotic scenes.
The deadline to apply for this recruitment was extended by a week to allow for additional candidates, as a number had faced challenges in the process.
Army spokesperson Capt Veronica Adzo Arhin said the stampede took place ahead of the event's scheduled start of 6:20 AM Greenwich Mean Time.
The nation's leader John Mahama has gone to see the injured in hospital.
Calm has been restored, and the recruitment exercise has since begun.
