At Least Six Lose Their Lives in Crowd Crush at Ghana Military Recruitment Drive
No fewer than six people have lost their lives during a stampede at a military recruitment gathering held in a sports arena in Ghana.
The midweek "devastating" incident seems to have been caused by "an unexpected surge of applicants who overcame security measures and stormed the gates," announced a release from Ghana's armed forces.
22 others were injured, among them 5 who are in critical condition.
Thousands had gathered at El-Wak stadium, in the capital, Accra, with the aspiration of enlisting in the armed forces.
The country has a youth unemployment rate of about 32%, the most recent official data show, and such recruitment events normally attract large crowds and often lead to chaotic scenes.
The closing date to apply for this recruitment was extended by a seven days to accommodate more applicants, as some had experienced difficulties in the process.
Military representative Capt Veronica Adzo Arhin said the stampede took place ahead of the planned commencement time of 6:20 AM Greenwich Mean Time.
The nation's leader John Mahama has visited the wounded in medical care.
Calm has been reestablished, and the enlistment process has now started.