No Fewer Than Six Lose Their Lives in Crowd Crush at Ghana Military Recruitment Drive
At least six people have lost their lives amid a stampede at a military recruitment event held in a sports arena in the West African nation.
The Wednesday's "tragic" event seems to have been caused by "an unexpected surge of candidates who overcame security measures and stormed the gates," announced a release from the nation's military.
Twenty-two others were hurt, including 5 who are in serious state.
A large crowd had gathered at the El-Wak sports venue, in the capital, the capital, with the hope of enlisting in the military.
Ghana has a rate of joblessness among young people of approximately 32%, the most recent government statistics indicate, and such enlistment drives typically draw massive gatherings and frequently result in disorderly situations.
The deadline to apply for this recruitment was extended by a week to allow for more applicants, as a number had experienced challenges in the application procedure.
Army spokesperson Captain Veronica Adzo Arhin said the crush occurred before the planned commencement time of 6:20 AM Greenwich Mean Time.
Ghana's President John Mahama has gone to see the injured in hospital.
Calm has been reestablished, and the enlistment process has now started.
