At Least 6 Lose Their Lives in Stampede at Ghanaian Armed Forces Enlistment Drive
At least six individuals have lost their lives during a stampede at a military recruitment event held in a stadium in Ghana.
The Wednesday's "devastating" event seems to have been caused by "a sudden rush of candidates who breached security protocols and stormed the gates," announced a release from the nation's military.
Twenty-two additional individuals were hurt, including 5 who are in critical condition.
Thousands had turned up at the El-Wak sports venue, in the capital, the capital, with the aspiration of joining the armed forces.
Ghana has a youth unemployment rate of approximately 32%, the most recent official data indicate, and such recruitment events typically draw massive gatherings and often result in chaotic scenes.
The deadline to apply for this recruitment was extended by a week to accommodate more applicants, as some had faced difficulties in the process.
Military representative Captain Veronica Adzo Arhin stated the crush occurred ahead of the planned commencement time of 06:20 GMT.
The nation's leader John Mahama has visited the injured in medical care.
Order has been restored, and the enlistment process has since begun.
