No Fewer Than 6 Lose Their Lives in Stampede at Ghanaian Armed Forces Enlistment Event
At least six individuals have died amid a stampede at a armed forces enlistment gathering held in a sports arena in Ghana.
The Wednesday's "tragic" incident seems to have been triggered by "an unexpected surge of candidates who breached security protocols and rushed into the entrances," announced a statement from Ghana's armed forces.
22 additional individuals were injured, including five who remain in serious state.
Thousands had turned up at El-Wak stadium, in the main city, the capital, with the aspiration of enlisting in the military.
The country has a youth unemployment rate of approximately 32%, the most recent official data show, and such recruitment events typically attract massive gatherings and frequently lead to disorderly situations.
The closing date to submit applications for this event was extended by a week to accommodate additional candidates, as a number had faced challenges in the application procedure.
Army spokesperson Capt Veronica Adzo Arhin stated the stampede took place before the event's scheduled start of 06:20 GMT.
Ghana's President John Mahama has visited the injured in hospital.
Order has been reestablished, and the enlistment process has since begun.
