No Fewer Than Six Lose Their Lives in Crowd Crush at Ghanaian Military Recruitment Event
At least six people have lost their lives amid a crowd crush at a military recruitment gathering held in a sports arena in Ghana.
The midweek "tragic" event seems to have been triggered by "a sudden rush of candidates who overcame security measures and stormed the gates," stated a release from the nation's military.
22 others were hurt, among them 5 who remain in serious state.
A large crowd had turned up at El-Wak stadium, in the main city, the capital, with the aspiration of joining the armed forces.
Ghana has a youth unemployment rate of approximately thirty-two percent, the latest government statistics show, and such recruitment events typically attract massive gatherings and often result in chaotic scenes.
The closing date to apply for this recruitment was extended by a week to allow for additional candidates, as some had experienced difficulties in the application procedure.
Army spokesperson Captain Veronica Adzo Arhin said the crush occurred before the event's scheduled start of 06:20 GMT.
The nation's leader President John Mahama has visited the wounded in hospital.
Order has been reestablished, and the enlistment process has now begun.