At Least 6 Perish in Crowd Crush at Ghana Military Recruitment Drive
No fewer than six people have died during a crowd crush at a military recruitment gathering held in a sports arena in the West African nation.
The midweek "tragic" incident appeared to have been caused by "an unexpected surge of applicants who overcame security measures and rushed into the gates," stated a release from Ghana's armed forces.
Twenty-two additional individuals were hurt, among them 5 who remain in critical condition.
A large crowd had gathered at El-Wak stadium, in the capital, the capital, with the hope of joining the armed forces.
The country has a rate of joblessness among young people of approximately thirty-two percent, the most recent official data indicate, and such enlistment drives typically draw massive gatherings and frequently lead to disorderly situations.
The closing date to submit applications for this recruitment was prolonged for a week to accommodate more applicants, as a number had faced difficulties in the process.
Army spokesperson Capt Veronica Adzo Arhin stated the stampede took place ahead of the planned commencement time of 06:20 GMT.
The nation's leader John Mahama has gone to see the injured in hospital.
Calm has been restored, and the enlistment process has since started.
