At Least 6 Lose Their Lives in Stampede at Ghana Armed Forces Enlistment Drive
At least six people have died during a crowd crush at a armed forces enlistment event held in a stadium in the West African nation.
The midweek "devastating" event appeared to have been triggered by "a sudden rush of applicants who overcame security measures and rushed into the entrances," announced a release from the nation's military.
Twenty-two others were hurt, including 5 who remain in critical condition.
Thousands had turned up at the El-Wak sports venue, in the main city, the capital, with the hope of joining the armed forces.
The country has a rate of joblessness among young people of approximately 32%, the latest government statistics indicate, and such enlistment drives normally draw large crowds and often lead to disorderly situations.
The closing date to submit applications for this event was prolonged for a seven days to allow for additional candidates, as some had experienced challenges in the application procedure.
Military representative Capt Veronica Adzo Arhin stated the stampede took place before the event's scheduled start of 06:20 GMT.
The nation's leader John Mahama has visited the wounded in medical care.
Calm has been reestablished, and the recruitment exercise has since started.
