No Fewer Than 6 Perish in Stampede at Ghana Military Recruitment Drive
At least 6 individuals have lost their lives during a stampede at a military recruitment gathering held in a sports arena in the West African nation.
The midweek "devastating" incident seems to have been triggered by "an unexpected surge of candidates who breached security protocols and stormed the entrances," announced a release from the nation's military.
22 others were injured, among them 5 who remain in critical condition.
A large crowd had gathered at the El-Wak sports venue, in the main city, the capital, with the hope of joining the military.
Ghana has a youth unemployment rate of approximately 32%, the latest government statistics indicate, and such recruitment events typically draw large crowds and frequently result in disorderly situations.
The closing date to submit applications for this event was extended by a seven days to allow for additional candidates, as some had faced difficulties in the process.
Army spokesperson Capt Veronica Adzo Arhin stated the stampede took place before the event's scheduled start of 6:20 AM Greenwich Mean Time.
The nation's leader John Mahama has gone to see the wounded in medical care.
Calm has been reestablished, and the enlistment process has since started.
