No Fewer Than Six Lose Their Lives in Crowd Crush at Ghana Military Recruitment Drive
At least six individuals have lost their lives amid a stampede at a military recruitment event held in a sports arena in the West African nation.
The Wednesday's "devastating" event appeared to have been caused by "a sudden rush of applicants who overcame security measures and rushed into the gates," stated a release from the nation's military.
22 others were hurt, including five who are in critical condition.
Thousands had turned up at the El-Wak sports venue, in the main city, Accra, with the aspiration of joining the armed forces.
The country has a youth unemployment rate of about thirty-two percent, the most recent government statistics indicate, and such enlistment drives normally attract massive gatherings and frequently result in disorderly situations.
The closing date to apply for this event was prolonged for a seven days to accommodate more applicants, as a number had experienced difficulties in the process.
Military representative Capt Veronica Adzo Arhin said the stampede took place before the planned commencement time of 6:20 AM Greenwich Mean Time.
The nation's leader John Mahama has gone to see the injured in medical care.
Calm has been restored, and the enlistment process has now begun.
