At Least 6 Perish in Stampede at Ghanaian Military Recruitment Drive
At least 6 individuals have died amid a crowd crush at a armed forces enlistment gathering held in a stadium in the West African nation.
The midweek "tragic" event appeared to have been triggered by "a sudden rush of applicants who overcame security measures and rushed into the gates," stated a release from the nation's military.
Twenty-two additional individuals were hurt, including five who remain in critical condition.
Thousands had gathered at the El-Wak sports venue, in the capital, the capital, with the hope of enlisting in the armed forces.
The country has a youth unemployment rate of about thirty-two percent, the most recent government statistics indicate, and such recruitment events normally attract large crowds and frequently result in chaotic scenes.
The closing date to submit applications for this recruitment was extended by a seven days to allow for additional candidates, as some had experienced challenges in the process.
Military representative Capt Veronica Adzo Arhin said the crush took place before the planned commencement time of 06:20 GMT.
The nation's leader President John Mahama has visited the wounded in hospital.
Calm has been restored, and the recruitment exercise has now begun.
