No Fewer Than Six Lose Their Lives in Stampede at Ghanaian Armed Forces Enlistment Drive
No fewer than six people have died amid a stampede at a armed forces enlistment event held in a sports arena in Ghana.
The Wednesday's "tragic" incident seems to have been caused by "a sudden rush of candidates who overcame security measures and rushed into the gates," stated a statement from the nation's military.
Twenty-two others were injured, among them 5 who are in serious state.
Thousands had turned up at El-Wak stadium, in the capital, Accra, with the aspiration of joining the military.
The country has a rate of joblessness among young people of about thirty-two percent, the most recent official data indicate, and such enlistment drives typically draw massive gatherings and frequently result in disorderly situations.
The closing date to submit applications for this event was prolonged for a week to accommodate additional candidates, as some had experienced challenges in the process.
Military representative Capt Veronica Adzo Arhin stated the crush took place before the event's scheduled start of 06:20 GMT.
Ghana's President President John Mahama has gone to see the wounded in medical care.
Order has been reestablished, and the enlistment process has now begun.
