No Fewer Than Six Perish in Stampede at Ghanaian Armed Forces Enlistment Drive
At least 6 individuals have died during a stampede at a armed forces enlistment event held in a stadium in Ghana.
The Wednesday's "devastating" event appeared to have been triggered by "a sudden rush of candidates who breached security protocols and stormed the gates," stated a release from the nation's military.
Twenty-two others were injured, including 5 who are in serious state.
A large crowd had turned up at El-Wak stadium, in the capital, Accra, with the hope of enlisting in the armed forces.
Ghana has a youth unemployment rate of approximately thirty-two percent, the most recent government statistics show, and such recruitment events typically attract large crowds and often result in disorderly situations.
The closing date to apply for this event was extended by a week to allow for more applicants, as a number had faced difficulties in the process.
Military representative Capt Veronica Adzo Arhin stated the crush occurred ahead of the planned commencement time of 6:20 AM Greenwich Mean Time.
The nation's leader President John Mahama has gone to see the injured in medical care.
Calm has been restored, and the enlistment process has now begun.
