The Ghana Armed Forces (GAF) has provided an update on victims of last Wednesday’s stampede at the El-Wak Sports Stadium, revealing progress in the condition of those critically injured. The tragic incident, which occurred during a military recruitment exercise, has claimed six lives so far.
Captain Veronica Adzo Arhin, acting Director-General of the Department of Public Relations of the GAF, disclosed that three of the five patients initially admitted to the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) have improved and been transferred to another ward.
Captain Arhin said a total of 29 victims were brought to the hospital on the day of the incident. Medical teams have been working around the clock to stabilise patients and prevent further fatalities.
“The injured are doing well, they are at the hospital, and they are receiving the best of care. On the day of the incident, we had five people in the ICU. As we speak, three of them are doing well, and they have been moved to another ward,” she stated.
She further noted that while some victims have been treated and discharged, 16 individuals remain hospitalised, receiving continuous care and monitoring.
“On the day of the incident, 29 people were brought to the hospital. As we speak now, we have about 16 currently there. Others are all receiving care, some have been discharged, and they have gone home, and they are getting the best of care. We are praying that we do not lose another life, so we are giving them all the best that we can,” Captain Arhin, in an interview with Accra-based Citi FM.
To ease the financial burden on families, she confirmed that the 37 Military Hospital is covering the full medical cost of all victims, with support from the government.
“37 Hospital is taking the full bill of anybody that comes there with any form of accident related to the stampede, and for that matter, the government,” she assured.
The stampede occurred after thousands of young Ghanaians surged into the stadium in an attempt to participate in the military recruitment process on Wednesday, November 12. The massive crowd and intense struggle at entry points led to chaos, resulting in multiple injuries and fatalities.