No Fewer Than Six Lose Their Lives in Crowd Crush at Ghana Armed Forces Enlistment Event
No fewer than 6 people have died amid a stampede at a military recruitment event held in a sports arena in Ghana.
The Wednesday's "tragic" event seems to have been caused by "an unexpected surge of candidates who breached security protocols and rushed into the entrances," stated a release from Ghana's armed forces.
22 additional individuals were injured, including five who remain in critical condition.
A large crowd had turned up at the El-Wak sports venue, in the main city, the capital, with the aspiration of joining the armed forces.
Ghana has a youth unemployment rate of approximately 32%, the latest government statistics show, and such recruitment events normally attract massive gatherings and often lead to disorderly situations.
The deadline to submit applications for this recruitment was extended by a week to accommodate more applicants, as a number had faced difficulties in the process.
Army spokesperson Captain Veronica Adzo Arhin said the stampede took place before the planned commencement time of 06:20 GMT.
Ghana's President President John Mahama has gone to see the wounded in hospital.
Order has been reestablished, and the recruitment exercise has now begun.
