At Least 6 Lose Their Lives in Crowd Crush at Ghana Military Recruitment Event
No fewer than 6 people have lost their lives during a crowd crush at a armed forces enlistment gathering held in a sports arena in the West African nation.
The midweek "tragic" event seems to have been triggered by "a sudden rush of candidates who overcame security measures and stormed the gates," announced a release from Ghana's armed forces.
22 additional individuals were hurt, among them 5 who are in serious state.
Thousands had turned up at El-Wak stadium, in the capital, Accra, with the hope of enlisting in the military.
The country has a youth unemployment rate of approximately 32%, the most recent official data indicate, and such recruitment events typically attract large crowds and often result in disorderly situations.
The closing date to submit applications for this recruitment was extended by a week to allow for additional candidates, as some had experienced difficulties in the process.
Military representative Capt Veronica Adzo Arhin said the stampede occurred before the planned commencement time of 6:20 AM Greenwich Mean Time.
Ghana's President President John Mahama has visited the injured in hospital.
Order has been restored, and the enlistment process has since started.
