At Least 6 Perish in Stampede at Ghana Armed Forces Enlistment Event
At least six individuals have died during a stampede at a armed forces enlistment gathering held in a stadium in Ghana.
The midweek "tragic" incident seems to have been caused by "an unexpected surge of applicants who overcame security measures and stormed the entrances," announced a statement from Ghana's armed forces.
22 others were hurt, including 5 who are in serious state.
Thousands had turned up at the El-Wak sports venue, in the main city, Accra, with the hope of joining the armed forces.
Ghana has a rate of joblessness among young people of approximately 32%, the most recent government statistics show, and such enlistment drives typically draw massive gatherings and frequently lead to disorderly situations.
The closing date to submit applications for this event was prolonged for a week to allow for more applicants, as some had faced difficulties in the process.
Army spokesperson Capt Veronica Adzo Arhin stated the stampede occurred before the event's scheduled start of 6:20 AM Greenwich Mean Time.
Ghana's President President John Mahama has gone to see the wounded in hospital.
Order has been reestablished, and the enlistment process has now begun.
