At Least 6 Perish in Stampede at Ghana Military Recruitment Event
At least 6 people have lost their lives during a stampede at a armed forces enlistment event held in a stadium in Ghana.
The Wednesday's "devastating" event appeared to have been caused by "an unexpected surge of candidates who breached security protocols and rushed into the gates," stated a statement from the nation's military.
22 others were injured, including 5 who remain in serious state.
A large crowd had gathered at the El-Wak sports venue, in the capital, the capital, with the aspiration of joining the military.
Ghana has a youth unemployment rate of approximately 32%, the most recent government statistics show, and such enlistment drives normally attract massive gatherings and frequently lead to disorderly situations.
The closing date to apply for this event was extended by a seven days to allow for more applicants, as a number had faced challenges in the process.
Military representative Captain Veronica Adzo Arhin said the stampede occurred before the event's scheduled start of 06:20 GMT.
The nation's leader John Mahama has gone to see the injured in hospital.
Order has been restored, and the enlistment process has now begun.
