At Least Six Lose Their Lives in Crowd Crush at Ghanaian Military Recruitment Drive
At least six individuals have lost their lives amid a stampede at a military recruitment gathering held in a sports arena in Ghana.
The midweek "devastating" event seems to have been caused by "a sudden rush of candidates who overcame security measures and stormed the entrances," stated a release from the nation's military.
22 others were hurt, including 5 who are in critical condition.
A large crowd had turned up at El-Wak stadium, in the main city, Accra, with the hope of joining the armed forces.
The country has a youth unemployment rate of approximately thirty-two percent, the latest official data show, and such recruitment events normally draw massive gatherings and frequently result in chaotic scenes.
The deadline to submit applications for this recruitment was prolonged for a week to accommodate more applicants, as a number had experienced challenges in the process.
Army spokesperson Captain Veronica Adzo Arhin said the crush took place ahead of the planned commencement time of 6:20 AM Greenwich Mean Time.
The nation's leader John Mahama has gone to see the wounded in medical care.
Order has been restored, and the recruitment exercise has since begun.