No Fewer Than Six Perish in Stampede at Ghana Armed Forces Enlistment Event
No fewer than 6 people have died amid a stampede at a military recruitment gathering held in a sports arena in Ghana.
The midweek "devastating" incident appeared to have been caused by "an unexpected surge of candidates who breached security protocols and stormed the entrances," stated a release from Ghana's armed forces.
22 others were hurt, among them 5 who remain in serious state.
A large crowd had turned up at the El-Wak sports venue, in the capital, Accra, with the hope of joining the military.
The country has a rate of joblessness among young people of about 32%, the latest official data indicate, and such enlistment drives normally draw massive gatherings and often result in chaotic scenes.
The closing date to apply for this event was prolonged for a seven days to allow for additional candidates, as some had experienced difficulties in the process.
Army spokesperson Captain 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.
Order has been restored, and the enlistment process has now started.