No Fewer Than Six Lose Their Lives in Stampede at Ghana Armed Forces Enlistment Drive
At least six individuals have died amid a stampede at a military recruitment gathering held in a stadium in the West African nation.
The Wednesday's "tragic" incident seems to have been triggered by "an unexpected surge of candidates who overcame security measures and rushed into the entrances," stated a release from the nation's military.
22 others were hurt, including 5 who are in critical condition.
Thousands had turned up at El-Wak stadium, in the capital, the capital, with the aspiration of enlisting in the military.
Ghana has a youth unemployment rate of about 32%, the latest government statistics show, and such recruitment events normally attract large crowds and often lead to chaotic scenes.
The closing date to apply for this event was extended by a seven days to accommodate additional candidates, as some had faced challenges in the application procedure.
Military representative Capt Veronica Adzo Arhin said the stampede occurred ahead of the planned commencement time of 06:20 GMT.
The nation's leader John Mahama has visited the injured in medical care.
Calm has been restored, and the enlistment process has since started.