No Fewer Than Six Lose Their Lives in Stampede at Ghana Military Recruitment Drive
No fewer than six people have died amid a crowd crush at a armed forces enlistment event held in a stadium in the West African nation.
The Wednesday's "devastating" event appeared to have been triggered by "an unexpected surge of applicants who breached security protocols and rushed into the gates," announced a statement from Ghana's armed forces.
22 additional individuals were injured, among them 5 who remain in critical condition.
Thousands had gathered at El-Wak stadium, in the main city, Accra, with the hope of enlisting in the military.
The country has a rate of joblessness among young people of approximately 32%, the latest government statistics show, and such enlistment drives normally attract large crowds and frequently result in disorderly situations.
The closing date to apply for this event was prolonged for a seven days to allow for more applicants, as some had experienced difficulties in the process.
Military representative Capt Veronica Adzo Arhin said the stampede occurred before the planned commencement time of 06:20 GMT.
Ghana's President President John Mahama has gone to see the wounded in hospital.
Order has been restored, and the enlistment process has since started.
