At Least Six Perish in Stampede at Ghanaian Armed Forces Enlistment Drive
At least 6 people have lost their lives during a crowd crush at a armed forces enlistment gathering held in a stadium in the West African nation.
The midweek "tragic" event seems to have been triggered by "a sudden rush of candidates who breached security protocols and rushed into the entrances," announced a release from Ghana's armed forces.
22 others were injured, including five who are in serious state.
Thousands had gathered at El-Wak stadium, in the main city, the capital, with the aspiration of enlisting in the armed forces.
Ghana has a rate of joblessness among young people of about thirty-two percent, the most recent official data show, and such enlistment drives normally attract large crowds and frequently lead to disorderly situations.
The deadline to apply for this event was prolonged for a week to allow for additional candidates, as some had experienced challenges in the application procedure.
Military representative Capt Veronica Adzo Arhin stated the crush took place before the planned commencement time of 06:20 GMT.
The nation's leader John Mahama has gone to see the wounded in medical care.
Calm has been reestablished, and the enlistment process has now started.
