No Fewer Than Six Lose Their Lives in Crowd Crush at Ghana Military Recruitment Drive
At least six individuals have died amid a crowd crush at a military recruitment gathering held in a stadium in the West African nation.
The midweek "tragic" event seems to have been caused by "a sudden rush of applicants who overcame security measures and rushed into the entrances," announced a statement from Ghana's armed forces.
Twenty-two others were hurt, including five who remain in serious state.
Thousands had gathered at El-Wak stadium, in the capital, Accra, with the aspiration of joining the military.
Ghana has a rate of joblessness among young people of approximately 32%, the latest government statistics indicate, and such recruitment events normally attract massive gatherings and frequently result in chaotic scenes.
The closing date to submit applications for this event was extended by a seven days to accommodate additional candidates, as some had experienced challenges in the process.
Military representative Capt Veronica Adzo Arhin said the stampede occurred ahead of the planned commencement time of 06:20 GMT.
Ghana's President John Mahama has gone to see the injured in medical care.
Calm has been restored, and the enlistment process has now begun.
