At Least Six Perish in Stampede at Ghanaian Armed Forces Enlistment Event
No fewer than six individuals have died during a crowd crush at a armed forces enlistment gathering held in a sports arena in the West African nation.
The midweek "tragic" incident appeared to have been triggered by "a sudden rush of applicants who overcame security measures and stormed the entrances," stated a statement from the nation's military.
Twenty-two additional individuals were hurt, including 5 who are in critical condition.
Thousands had gathered at the El-Wak sports venue, in the main city, the capital, with the aspiration of joining the military.
Ghana has a youth unemployment rate of about thirty-two percent, the latest official data indicate, and such recruitment events typically draw massive gatherings and often lead to disorderly situations.
The closing date to apply for this event was prolonged for a week to accommodate more applicants, as a number had experienced difficulties in the process.
Army spokesperson Capt Veronica Adzo Arhin stated the crush occurred ahead of the event's scheduled start of 06:20 GMT.
Ghana's President John Mahama has visited the wounded in medical care.
Calm has been reestablished, and the enlistment process has now started.
