At Least 6 Perish in Stampede at Ghanaian Military Recruitment Drive
At least 6 people have died during a stampede at a military recruitment event held in a stadium in the West African nation.
The midweek "tragic" incident seems to have been caused by "an unexpected surge of applicants who overcame security measures and stormed the gates," stated a statement from Ghana's armed forces.
22 additional individuals were injured, among them five who remain in serious state.
Thousands had gathered at El-Wak stadium, in the main city, Accra, with the hope of enlisting in the armed forces.
Ghana has a youth unemployment rate of about 32%, the most recent official data indicate, and such recruitment events normally draw massive gatherings and frequently result in disorderly situations.
The closing date to submit applications for this recruitment was prolonged for a week to allow for more applicants, as a number had experienced difficulties in the application procedure.
Army spokesperson Capt Veronica Adzo Arhin stated the crush occurred ahead of the planned commencement time of 06:20 GMT.
The nation's leader President John Mahama has gone to see the injured in hospital.
Calm has been reestablished, and the enlistment process has now started.
