At Least 6 Lose Their Lives in Crowd Crush at Ghanaian Armed Forces Enlistment Event
At least 6 individuals have died amid a stampede at a military recruitment event held in a sports arena in Ghana.
The midweek "devastating" event appeared to have been triggered by "a sudden rush of candidates who overcame security measures and stormed the entrances," announced a statement from the nation's military.
22 additional individuals were hurt, including five who remain in critical condition.
A large crowd had turned up at El-Wak stadium, in the main city, the capital, with the aspiration of joining the military.
Ghana has a youth unemployment rate of approximately thirty-two percent, the most recent official data indicate, and such recruitment events normally draw massive gatherings and often lead to disorderly situations.
The deadline to apply for this recruitment was extended by a seven days to allow for additional candidates, as a number had faced challenges in the process.
Army spokesperson Captain Veronica Adzo Arhin stated the crush occurred before the planned commencement time of 06:20 GMT.
The nation's leader John Mahama has gone to see the injured in hospital.
Order has been reestablished, and the recruitment exercise has since begun.
