At Least 6 Lose Their Lives in Stampede at Ghanaian Military Recruitment Drive
No fewer than six people have lost their lives amid a stampede at a military recruitment event held in a sports arena in the West African nation.
The Wednesday's "devastating" event seems to have been triggered by "an unexpected surge of applicants who breached security protocols and stormed the gates," stated a release from the nation's military.
Twenty-two others were injured, including 5 who are in critical condition.
Thousands had turned up at El-Wak stadium, in the main city, Accra, with the aspiration of joining the military.
The country has a youth unemployment rate of approximately 32%, the most recent official data indicate, and such enlistment drives normally draw large crowds and often lead to chaotic scenes.
The deadline to submit applications for this event was extended by a week to allow for additional candidates, as some had experienced difficulties in the process.
Army spokesperson Captain Veronica Adzo Arhin said the stampede occurred ahead of the planned commencement time of 6:20 AM Greenwich Mean Time.
The nation's leader John Mahama has gone to see the wounded in medical care.
Calm has been reestablished, and the recruitment exercise has since started.