Stampede at Kumasi Central Market; 6 people collapse

A total of six people collapsed suddenly at the Kumasi Central Market on Monday afternoon, following a stampede at a congested area in the market.

There were a lot of people who were trying to pass through a narrow space, at a place popularly referred to as "18-line" [eighteen mu] in the market, Graphic Online gathered.

The six people, all females were taken to the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital (KATH) for medical care.

Two were treated and immediately discharged whilst the remaining four were still at the hospital responding to treatment as of 6 pm.

They were transported to KATH in two separate ambulances and they included a pregnant woman, four adults, and one student.

They were reportedly fighting for space in the melee and had challengings with breathing.

No deaths

Earlier, there were speculations that someone had died but the early paramedic responders disputed the claim and said all the collapsed persons were responding to treatment.

Mr Kwame Yirenkyi, a paramedic who was among the early responders explained that "there was heat" among the "crowd" and that was what caused the "sudden collapse."

"Upon our assessment, we have one asthmatic patient and the other five were having difficulty in breathing, that is what we observed," Mr Yirenkyi said.

He said two people were treated and discharged and the remaining four were still at the hospital as of 6 pm.

A team of about police personnel were dispatched to the scene to maintain law and order, Graphic Online gathered.