No Fewer Than Six Lose Their Lives in Stampede at Ghanaian Armed Forces Enlistment Event
No fewer than 6 individuals have died amid a stampede at a armed forces enlistment event held in a sports arena in the West African nation.
The midweek "devastating" incident appeared to have been triggered by "a sudden rush of candidates who overcame security measures and stormed the gates," announced a release from Ghana's armed forces.
Twenty-two additional individuals were hurt, including 5 who are in serious state.
Thousands had turned up at the El-Wak sports venue, in the main city, Accra, with the hope of enlisting in the armed forces.
The country has a rate of joblessness among young people of about 32%, the latest official data indicate, and such enlistment drives normally attract large crowds and often lead to chaotic scenes.
The deadline to apply for this event was extended by a seven days to accommodate additional candidates, as a number had faced challenges in the application procedure.
Military representative Captain Veronica Adzo Arhin stated the stampede took place ahead of the event's scheduled start of 06:20 GMT.
The nation's leader John Mahama has gone to see the injured in medical care.
Order has been reestablished, and the enlistment process has since begun.
