At Least 6 Perish in Stampede at Ghana Military Recruitment Event
No fewer than six people have lost their lives amid a stampede at a military recruitment event held in a sports arena in Ghana.
The Wednesday's "devastating" incident appeared to have been triggered by "an unexpected surge of applicants who overcame security measures and stormed the entrances," stated a statement from the nation's military.
22 additional individuals were hurt, including five who remain in critical condition.
Thousands had gathered at El-Wak stadium, in the capital, Accra, with the hope of joining the military.
Ghana has a rate of joblessness among young people of approximately thirty-two percent, the latest official data indicate, and such enlistment drives typically draw large crowds and often result in chaotic scenes.
The deadline to submit applications for this recruitment was prolonged for a week to allow for additional candidates, as some had faced difficulties in the application procedure.
Army spokesperson Captain Veronica Adzo Arhin stated the stampede occurred before the event's scheduled start of 06:20 GMT.
The nation's leader President John Mahama has visited the wounded in medical care.
Calm has been reestablished, and the recruitment exercise has since begun.
