At Least Six Perish in Stampede at Ghana Military Recruitment Drive
No fewer than 6 individuals have died during a stampede at a military recruitment event held in a stadium in the West African nation.
The midweek "devastating" incident appeared to have been triggered by "a sudden rush of candidates who overcame security measures and stormed the gates," announced a release from the nation's military.
22 others were hurt, among them 5 who remain in serious state.
Thousands had gathered at the El-Wak sports venue, in the main city, Accra, with the aspiration of joining the armed forces.
Ghana has a rate of joblessness among young people of approximately 32%, the most recent government statistics indicate, and such recruitment events normally attract massive gatherings and often lead to chaotic scenes.
The deadline to submit applications for this recruitment was extended by a seven days to allow for more applicants, as some had experienced challenges in the process.
Military representative Captain Veronica Adzo Arhin said the stampede occurred ahead of the event's scheduled start of 6:20 AM Greenwich Mean Time.
The nation's leader President John Mahama has visited the wounded in hospital.
Order has been reestablished, and the recruitment exercise has since begun.
