No Fewer Than 6 Lose Their Lives in Crowd Crush at Ghana Armed Forces Enlistment Event
No fewer than six individuals have died during a crowd crush at a military recruitment gathering held in a sports arena in Ghana.
The midweek "devastating" event seems to have been triggered by "a sudden rush of applicants who overcame security measures and stormed the entrances," stated a statement from the nation's military.
22 others were injured, 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 military.
The country has a rate of joblessness among young people of approximately 32%, the most recent official data show, and such enlistment drives normally attract large crowds and often result in chaotic scenes.
The closing date to submit applications for this event was extended by a seven days to accommodate more applicants, as a number had faced difficulties in the process.
Military representative Capt Veronica Adzo Arhin stated the stampede occurred ahead of the planned commencement time of 06:20 GMT.
The nation's leader John Mahama has visited the injured in hospital.
Order has been reestablished, and the enlistment process has now begun.
