No Fewer Than 6 Lose Their Lives in Crowd Crush at Ghana Military Recruitment Event
At least 6 individuals have lost their lives during a crowd crush at a armed forces enlistment event held in a sports arena in Ghana.
The midweek "devastating" event seems to have been triggered by "a sudden rush of applicants who overcame security measures and stormed the gates," stated a statement from Ghana's armed forces.
22 additional individuals were hurt, among them five who remain in critical condition.
A large crowd had gathered at El-Wak stadium, in the capital, Accra, with the aspiration of joining the military.
Ghana has a rate of joblessness among young people of approximately 32%, the most recent government statistics indicate, and such enlistment drives typically attract large crowds and often lead to chaotic scenes.
The closing date to apply for this recruitment was prolonged for a seven days to accommodate more applicants, as some had faced challenges in the process.
Army spokesperson Captain Veronica Adzo Arhin stated the crush took place before the planned commencement time of 6:20 AM Greenwich Mean Time.
Ghana's President John Mahama has gone to see the wounded in hospital.
Order has been reestablished, and the enlistment process has since started.
