No Fewer Than Six Perish in Crowd Crush at Ghana Military Recruitment Drive
At least six people have died during a stampede at a military recruitment event held in a sports arena in the West African nation.
The midweek "devastating" incident appeared to have been triggered by "an unexpected surge of candidates who breached security protocols and stormed the entrances," announced a statement from the nation's military.
22 additional individuals were injured, among them 5 who remain in critical condition.
Thousands had gathered at the El-Wak sports venue, in the main city, Accra, with the hope of enlisting in the armed forces.
Ghana has a rate of joblessness among young people of approximately thirty-two percent, the most recent government statistics show, and such recruitment events normally attract large crowds and often result in chaotic scenes.
The closing date to submit applications for this event was prolonged for a seven days to accommodate additional candidates, as a number had experienced difficulties in the process.
Military representative Capt Veronica Adzo Arhin said the stampede occurred ahead of the planned commencement time of 6:20 AM Greenwich Mean Time.
Ghana's President John Mahama has gone to see the wounded in hospital.
Order has been reestablished, and the recruitment exercise has now begun.
