No Fewer Than 6 Lose Their Lives in Crowd Crush at Ghana Armed Forces Enlistment Drive
At least 6 individuals have lost their lives amid a crowd crush at a armed forces enlistment gathering held in a sports arena in the West African nation.
The midweek "devastating" event seems to have been triggered by "a sudden rush of applicants who overcame security measures and rushed into the gates," stated a release from Ghana's armed forces.
Twenty-two others were hurt, including 5 who are in serious state.
A large crowd had turned up at the El-Wak sports venue, in the main city, Accra, with the hope of joining the armed forces.
The country has a youth unemployment rate of about 32%, the most recent official data show, and such recruitment events normally draw large crowds and often result in disorderly situations.
The closing date to submit applications for this recruitment was prolonged for a seven days to accommodate additional candidates, as a number had experienced difficulties in the application procedure.
Army spokesperson Capt Veronica Adzo Arhin stated the crush occurred before the planned commencement time of 06:20 GMT.
Ghana's President President John Mahama has gone to see the injured in medical care.
Order has been restored, and the recruitment exercise has now started.
