At Least Six Lose Their Lives in Stampede at Ghanaian Armed Forces Enlistment Drive
At least 6 people have lost their lives amid a stampede at a military recruitment gathering held in a stadium in the West African nation.
The Wednesday's "tragic" incident appeared to have been triggered by "a sudden rush of candidates who overcame security measures and rushed into the gates," announced a statement from the nation's military.
Twenty-two additional individuals were injured, among them five who are in critical condition.
A large crowd had gathered at El-Wak stadium, in the main city, the capital, with the hope of joining the armed forces.
The country has a youth unemployment rate of approximately thirty-two percent, the most recent official data show, and such recruitment events typically draw large crowds and often result in chaotic scenes.
The deadline to submit applications for this recruitment was extended by a seven days to accommodate additional candidates, as some had experienced challenges in the process.
Military representative Captain Veronica Adzo Arhin said the stampede occurred ahead of the event's scheduled start of 6:20 AM Greenwich Mean Time.
Ghana's President President John Mahama has visited the wounded in hospital.
Calm has been reestablished, and the recruitment exercise has now begun.
