At Least 6 Lose Their Lives in Stampede at Ghanaian Armed Forces Enlistment Event
At least six individuals have died during a stampede at a armed forces enlistment gathering held in a stadium in the West African nation.
The Wednesday's "tragic" event seems to have been caused by "a sudden rush of candidates who overcame security measures and rushed into the entrances," stated a release from Ghana's armed forces.
Twenty-two others were hurt, including 5 who are in critical condition.
Thousands had gathered at El-Wak stadium, in the main city, the capital, with the aspiration of joining the military.
The country has a youth unemployment rate of about thirty-two percent, the most recent government statistics indicate, and such recruitment events typically draw large crowds and often lead to disorderly situations.
The deadline to submit applications for this event was prolonged for a seven days to accommodate more applicants, as a number had experienced challenges in the application procedure.
Army spokesperson Captain Veronica Adzo Arhin stated the crush occurred before the event's scheduled start of 6:20 AM Greenwich Mean Time.
The nation's leader President John Mahama has visited the wounded in medical care.
Order has been reestablished, and the enlistment process has since begun.
