No Fewer Than Six Perish in Stampede at Ghana Armed Forces Enlistment Event
No fewer than six individuals have lost their lives amid a stampede at a military recruitment event held in a stadium in Ghana.
The midweek "tragic" incident appeared to have been triggered by "an unexpected surge of candidates who overcame security measures and rushed into the gates," announced a release from the nation's military.
22 additional individuals were injured, including five who are in serious state.
Thousands had gathered at El-Wak stadium, in the main city, 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 government statistics show, and such enlistment drives normally draw massive gatherings and frequently result in disorderly situations.
The deadline to apply for this recruitment was extended by a week to accommodate more applicants, as some had faced challenges in the process.
Military representative Capt Veronica Adzo Arhin stated the crush occurred ahead of the event's scheduled start of 06:20 GMT.
The nation's leader John Mahama has visited the injured in hospital.
Calm has been restored, and the enlistment process has since started.
