At Least Six Perish in Stampede at Ghana Military Recruitment Event
No fewer than six people have lost their lives amid a crowd crush at a armed forces enlistment event held in a sports arena in the West African nation.
The Wednesday's "tragic" event appeared to have been caused by "an unexpected surge of applicants who overcame security measures and rushed into the gates," stated a release from Ghana's armed forces.
22 additional individuals were injured, among them five who remain in critical condition.
Thousands had turned up at El-Wak stadium, in the main city, the capital, with the hope of enlisting in the military.
Ghana has a rate of joblessness among young people of about 32%, the latest government statistics show, and such recruitment events normally attract large crowds and often result in disorderly situations.
The closing date to apply for this event was extended by a seven days to allow for additional candidates, as some had faced difficulties in the application procedure.
Army spokesperson Capt Veronica Adzo Arhin said the crush took place before the planned commencement time of 06:20 GMT.
Ghana's President President John Mahama has gone to see the injured in hospital.
Order has been reestablished, and the enlistment process has since begun.
