No Fewer Than 6 Perish in Stampede at Ghana Military Recruitment Drive
At least six people have died amid a stampede at a military recruitment gathering held in a sports arena in Ghana.
The midweek "devastating" event appeared to have been triggered by "a sudden rush of candidates who overcame security measures and rushed into the entrances," announced a statement from the nation's military.
Twenty-two others were hurt, including five who are in serious state.
A large crowd had turned up at El-Wak stadium, in the capital, the capital, with the aspiration of joining the military.
Ghana has a youth unemployment rate of approximately 32%, the latest official data indicate, and such recruitment events typically attract large crowds and frequently result in disorderly situations.
The deadline to apply for this event was extended by a week to accommodate more applicants, as some had faced difficulties in the process.
Army spokesperson Captain Veronica Adzo Arhin stated the crush occurred ahead of the planned commencement time of 06:20 GMT.
The nation's leader President John Mahama has visited the wounded in medical care.
Calm has been restored, and the recruitment exercise has now begun.
