At Least 6 Lose Their Lives in Stampede at Ghana Armed Forces Enlistment Drive
No fewer than six individuals have lost their lives during a crowd crush at a military recruitment gathering held in a stadium in the West African nation.
The Wednesday's "devastating" incident seems to have been triggered by "an unexpected surge of candidates who overcame security measures and stormed the gates," announced a release from the nation's military.
22 others were injured, among them five who remain in serious state.
A large crowd had gathered at El-Wak stadium, in the main city, the capital, with the aspiration of joining the armed forces.
The country has a youth unemployment rate of approximately thirty-two percent, the most recent government statistics show, and such recruitment events normally draw massive gatherings and frequently result in chaotic scenes.
The closing date to submit applications for this recruitment was prolonged for a week to accommodate additional candidates, as a number had experienced challenges in the application procedure.
Army spokesperson Capt Veronica Adzo Arhin stated the stampede occurred before the planned commencement time of 06:20 GMT.
Ghana's President President John Mahama has gone to see the injured in hospital.
Order has been restored, and the enlistment process has now started.