No Fewer Than Six Lose Their Lives in Crowd Crush at Ghana Armed Forces Enlistment Drive
At least 6 people have died during a crowd crush at a armed forces enlistment event held in a stadium in Ghana.
The Wednesday's "devastating" incident seems to have been caused by "an unexpected surge of applicants who overcame security measures and stormed the entrances," stated a statement from Ghana's armed forces.
Twenty-two additional individuals were hurt, including five who remain in serious state.
A large crowd had gathered at the El-Wak sports venue, in the capital, Accra, with the hope of joining the military.
Ghana has a youth unemployment rate of about thirty-two percent, the most recent official data indicate, 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 seven days to allow for more applicants, as some had faced challenges in the application procedure.
Military representative Captain Veronica Adzo Arhin stated the crush occurred before the planned commencement time of 06:20 GMT.
Ghana's President President John Mahama has visited the wounded in hospital.
Calm has been reestablished, and the enlistment process has now begun.
