At Least Six Lose Their Lives in Stampede at Ghanaian Military Recruitment Event
At least six individuals have lost their lives amid a crowd crush at a military recruitment event held in a stadium in the West African nation.
The Wednesday's "tragic" event appeared to have been triggered by "an unexpected surge of applicants who overcame security measures and rushed into the gates," stated a statement from the nation's military.
22 additional individuals were hurt, among them five who remain in serious state.
A large crowd had turned up at El-Wak stadium, in the main city, the capital, with the hope of enlisting in the military.
The country has a youth unemployment rate of about thirty-two percent, the most recent government statistics show, and such recruitment events typically attract massive gatherings and often result in chaotic scenes.
The deadline to submit applications for this recruitment was extended by a seven days to accommodate more applicants, as a number had faced difficulties in the process.
Army spokesperson Capt Veronica Adzo Arhin said the stampede took place before the planned commencement time of 06:20 GMT.
The nation's leader President John Mahama has gone to see the injured in medical care.
Order has been reestablished, and the recruitment exercise has since begun.
