At Least Six Perish in Stampede at Ghanaian Military Recruitment Drive
At least 6 people have died during a crowd crush at a military recruitment event held in a stadium in the West African nation.
The Wednesday's "devastating" event appeared to have been triggered by "a sudden rush of candidates who overcame security measures and rushed into the entrances," announced a release from Ghana's armed forces.
22 others were hurt, including 5 who remain in critical condition.
Thousands had turned up at El-Wak stadium, in the main city, the capital, with the hope of joining the military.
Ghana has a youth unemployment rate of about 32%, the most recent government statistics indicate, and such recruitment events typically draw massive gatherings and frequently result in disorderly situations.
The deadline to apply for this event was extended by a week to accommodate more applicants, as a number had faced difficulties in the process.
Military representative Captain Veronica Adzo Arhin stated the stampede occurred ahead of the event's scheduled start of 6:20 AM Greenwich Mean Time.
Ghana's President John Mahama has visited the injured in medical care.
Calm has been restored, and the recruitment exercise has now started.
