At Least 6 Perish in Stampede at Ghana Military Recruitment Event
No fewer than six individuals have died amid a stampede at a armed forces enlistment gathering held in a stadium in the West African nation.
The Wednesday's "tragic" incident appeared to have been triggered by "a sudden rush of applicants who breached security protocols and stormed the entrances," announced a release from Ghana's armed forces.
Twenty-two others were injured, including five who are in serious state.
Thousands had gathered at the El-Wak sports venue, in the main city, Accra, with the hope of joining the military.
The country has a rate of joblessness among young people of approximately thirty-two percent, the latest government statistics show, and such enlistment drives typically attract large crowds and frequently result in disorderly situations.
The deadline to submit applications for this event was prolonged for a week to accommodate more applicants, as a number had experienced challenges in the process.
Military representative Captain Veronica Adzo Arhin said the stampede took place ahead of the planned commencement time of 06:20 GMT.
The nation's leader John Mahama has gone to see the wounded in medical care.
Order has been reestablished, and the enlistment process has now started.