At Least Six Perish in Stampede at Ghana Military Recruitment Drive
At least six individuals have died amid a stampede at a military recruitment event held in a sports arena in Ghana.
The Wednesday's "devastating" incident appeared to have been caused by "a sudden rush of candidates who overcame security measures and stormed the gates," announced a release from the nation's military.
Twenty-two others were hurt, including five who are in serious state.
A large crowd had gathered at El-Wak stadium, in the main city, Accra, with the hope of joining the armed forces.
The country has a rate of joblessness among young people of approximately thirty-two percent, the most recent government statistics show, and such enlistment drives normally attract large crowds and frequently lead to chaotic scenes.
The closing date to submit applications for this event was extended by a seven days to allow for more applicants, as some had experienced difficulties in the application procedure.
Military representative Capt Veronica Adzo Arhin stated the crush occurred ahead of the event's scheduled start of 6:20 AM Greenwich Mean Time.
The nation's leader John Mahama has visited the injured in medical care.
Order has been restored, and the enlistment process has now begun.
