No Fewer Than Six Lose Their Lives in Stampede at Ghana Armed Forces Enlistment Event

Event location
A Multitude Assembled at the Venue in the Capital

No fewer than six people have died amid a stampede at a military recruitment 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 gates," announced a statement from the nation's military.

Twenty-two additional individuals were injured, including five who remain in serious state.

Thousands had gathered at the El-Wak sports venue, in the main city, Accra, with the hope of joining the military.

The country has a rate of joblessness among young people of approximately 32%, the latest government statistics show, and such recruitment events typically attract large crowds and often lead to chaotic scenes.

The deadline to submit applications for this recruitment was prolonged for a seven days to allow for additional candidates, as a number had experienced difficulties in the process.

Army spokesperson Capt Veronica Adzo Arhin stated the stampede occurred before the event's scheduled start of 06:20 GMT.

The nation's leader President John Mahama has visited the wounded in medical care.

Calm has been restored, and the recruitment exercise has now started.

Kimberly Soto
Kimberly Soto

Lena Veldhuis is an urban culture enthusiast and freelance writer, passionate about street art and creative communities.

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