In brief
At least six people died and 22 others were injured in a crowd crush during a military recruitment event at El-Wak Stadium in Accra, Ghana. An unexpected surge of applicants overwhelmed the security measures, resulting in chaos before the event commenced. With a youth unemployment rate of approximately 32%, such recruitment events often see massive turnout, which can lead to dangerous situations. Authorities have confirmed the recruitment exercise has now resumed after restoring calm.
At least six people have died during a crowd crush at a military recruitment event in a stadium in Ghana.
Wednesday's 'tragic' crush appeared to have been caused by 'an unexpected surge of applicants who breached security protocols and rushed into the gates,' stated Ghana's armed forces.
Twenty-two others were injured, including five who remain in critical condition.
Thousands had turned up to El-Wak stadium, in the capital, Accra, hoping to join the military.
Ghana has a youth unemployment rate of about 32%, according to the latest government statistics, and such recruitment events normally draw large crowds, often resulting in chaotic scenes.
The application deadline for this event had been extended by a week to accommodate more applicants due to difficulties some faced in the process.
Army spokesperson Capt. Veronica Adzo Arhin confirmed that the crush occurred ahead of the event's scheduled start of 06:20 GMT.
Calm has been restored, and the recruitment exercise has now commenced.
