No Fewer Than Six Lose Their Lives in Stampede at Ghanaian Military Recruitment Drive
No fewer than six individuals have lost their lives during a stampede at a armed forces enlistment gathering held in a sports arena in Ghana.
The midweek "tragic" event appeared to have been triggered by "an unexpected surge of candidates who breached security protocols and stormed the entrances," announced a release from Ghana's armed forces.
Twenty-two others were injured, among them five who are in serious state.
Thousands had gathered at El-Wak stadium, in the capital, Accra, with the hope of enlisting in the armed forces.
The country has a rate of joblessness among young people of approximately 32%, the latest official data show, and such recruitment events normally draw large crowds and frequently result in disorderly situations.
The deadline to submit applications 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 said the crush occurred ahead of the event's scheduled start of 06:20 GMT.
The nation's leader President John Mahama has visited the injured in hospital.
Calm has been restored, and the recruitment exercise has now begun.