No Fewer Than 6 Lose Their Lives in Stampede at Ghanaian Military Recruitment Drive
No fewer than six people have lost their lives during a crowd crush at a armed forces enlistment event held in a stadium in Ghana.
The midweek "devastating" event appeared to have been triggered by "a sudden rush of candidates who breached security protocols and stormed the entrances," announced a release from the nation's military.
22 others were injured, including 5 who remain in critical condition.
Thousands had gathered at El-Wak stadium, in the main city, Accra, with the hope of joining the armed forces.
The country has a rate of joblessness among young people of approximately 32%, the latest government statistics show, and such recruitment events normally attract massive gatherings and frequently result in disorderly situations.
The closing date to apply for this recruitment was prolonged for a week to allow for more applicants, as some had experienced challenges in the process.
Army spokesperson Captain Veronica Adzo Arhin said the stampede occurred before the event's scheduled start of 06:20 GMT.
Ghana's President John Mahama has gone to see the injured in medical care.
Calm has been restored, and the enlistment process has now begun.