No Fewer Than Six Lose Their Lives in Crowd Crush at Ghana Armed Forces Enlistment Event
No fewer than 6 people have died amid a crowd crush at a military recruitment gathering held in a stadium in Ghana.
The midweek "devastating" incident appeared to have been triggered by "an unexpected surge of candidates who overcame security measures and stormed the entrances," announced a release from the nation's military.
22 others were hurt, including five who are in critical condition.
Thousands had gathered at El-Wak stadium, in the main city, Accra, with the hope of enlisting in the military.
Ghana has a rate of joblessness among young people of approximately thirty-two percent, the most recent official data show, and such recruitment events normally draw large crowds and often lead to disorderly situations.
The closing date to apply for this event was extended by a seven days to allow for more applicants, as some had experienced difficulties in the process.
Army spokesperson Captain Veronica Adzo Arhin stated the crush occurred ahead of the event's scheduled start of 06:20 GMT.
Ghana's President John Mahama has gone to see the wounded in medical care.
Order has been reestablished, and the enlistment process has now begun.
