At Least 6 Perish in Stampede at Ghana Military Recruitment Drive
No fewer than six individuals have lost their lives during a crowd crush at a armed forces enlistment event held in a sports arena in Ghana.
The midweek "tragic" event appeared to have been triggered by "a sudden rush of candidates who breached security protocols and rushed into the entrances," stated a statement from Ghana's armed forces.
22 additional individuals were hurt, among them 5 who are in critical condition.
A large crowd had turned up at the El-Wak sports venue, in the main city, the capital, with the hope of enlisting in the armed forces.
Ghana has a rate of joblessness among young people of approximately thirty-two percent, the most recent official data show, and such enlistment drives typically attract large crowds and often result in chaotic scenes.
The deadline to submit applications for this event was extended by a seven days to accommodate additional candidates, as a number had faced challenges in the process.
Military representative Capt Veronica Adzo Arhin said the crush took place before the planned commencement time of 6:20 AM Greenwich Mean Time.
Ghana's President President John Mahama has gone to see the injured in hospital.
Order has been reestablished, and the enlistment process has now begun.