At Least 6 Lose Their Lives in Stampede at Ghanaian Military Recruitment Event
No fewer than 6 people have died during a crowd crush at a military recruitment event held in a stadium in Ghana.
The Wednesday's "tragic" incident seems to have been triggered by "a sudden rush of candidates who overcame security measures and rushed into the entrances," announced a statement from Ghana's armed forces.
22 others were hurt, including 5 who are in serious state.
Thousands had gathered at El-Wak stadium, in the main city, the capital, with the aspiration of joining the armed forces.
The country has a rate of joblessness among young people of about thirty-two percent, the most recent official data indicate, and such recruitment events normally attract massive gatherings and often result in disorderly situations.
The deadline to apply for this recruitment was extended by a seven days to accommodate more applicants, as some had experienced difficulties in the application procedure.
Military representative Capt Veronica Adzo Arhin stated the crush took place ahead of the event's scheduled start of 06:20 GMT.
The nation's leader John Mahama has visited the injured in hospital.
Calm has been reestablished, and the recruitment exercise has since started.