No Fewer Than Six Perish in Stampede at Ghanaian Military Recruitment Drive
No fewer than six people have lost their lives amid a crowd crush at a military recruitment event held in a sports arena in the West African nation.
The Wednesday's "tragic" event seems to have been caused by "an unexpected surge of candidates who overcame security measures and stormed the entrances," announced a release from the nation's military.
Twenty-two others were injured, among them five who are in serious state.
Thousands had gathered at El-Wak stadium, in the main city, the capital, with the aspiration of joining the military.
The country has a rate of joblessness among young people of about 32%, the most recent government statistics indicate, and such enlistment drives normally draw large crowds and frequently result in chaotic scenes.
The deadline to submit applications for this recruitment was extended by a week to accommodate additional candidates, as some had faced difficulties in the application procedure.
Military representative Capt Veronica Adzo Arhin stated the stampede occurred ahead of the planned commencement time of 06:20 GMT.
The nation's leader President John Mahama has visited the injured in hospital.
Calm has been restored, and the recruitment exercise has since begun.
