No Fewer Than 6 Perish in Stampede at Ghanaian Armed Forces Enlistment Drive
At least six individuals have died during a stampede at a military recruitment event held in a stadium in the West African nation.
The midweek "tragic" incident seems to have been triggered by "an unexpected surge of applicants who overcame security measures and stormed the entrances," announced a release from Ghana's armed forces.
22 others were hurt, including five who remain in serious state.
Thousands had turned up at El-Wak stadium, in the main city, Accra, with the aspiration of enlisting in the armed forces.
The country has a rate of joblessness among young people of about 32%, the most recent official data show, and such enlistment drives typically attract massive gatherings and often lead to disorderly situations.
The deadline to submit applications for this recruitment was prolonged for a seven days to accommodate more applicants, as some had faced difficulties in the process.
Army spokesperson Capt Veronica Adzo Arhin said the crush took place ahead of the event's scheduled start of 06:20 GMT.
Ghana's President President John Mahama has visited the injured in medical care.
Order has been restored, and the recruitment exercise has since started.
