At Least 6 Perish in Stampede at Ghana Military Recruitment Event
At least 6 people have died amid a stampede at a military recruitment event held in a stadium in the West African nation.
The midweek "tragic" incident appeared to have been caused by "an unexpected surge of applicants who overcame security measures and rushed into the entrances," stated a statement from Ghana's armed forces.
22 additional individuals were hurt, including five who remain in serious state.
A large crowd had gathered at the El-Wak sports venue, in the capital, Accra, with the hope of joining the armed forces.
Ghana has a youth unemployment rate of approximately thirty-two percent, the most recent official data indicate, and such recruitment events normally draw large crowds and frequently result in disorderly situations.
The deadline to submit applications for this event was extended by a seven days to allow for additional candidates, as a number had experienced difficulties in the process.
Army spokesperson Capt Veronica Adzo Arhin stated the crush occurred ahead of 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 reestablished, and the recruitment exercise has now started.
