No Fewer Than Six Lose Their Lives in Crowd Crush at Ghanaian Armed Forces Enlistment Drive

At least six people have lost their lives amid a stampede at a military recruitment event held in a sports arena in the West African nation.

The midweek "devastating" incident seems to have been triggered by "an unexpected surge of applicants who overcame security measures and rushed into the entrances," stated a statement from the nation's military.

Twenty-two others were injured, among them five who are in serious state.

Thousands had gathered at El-Wak stadium, in the main city, the capital, with the hope of joining the military.

Ghana has a youth unemployment rate of approximately 32%, the most recent official data indicate, and such enlistment drives normally attract massive gatherings and frequently lead to chaotic scenes.

The deadline to apply for this event was prolonged for a week to allow for more applicants, as some had experienced difficulties in the process.

Army spokesperson Capt Veronica Adzo Arhin stated the stampede took place before the planned commencement time of 6:20 AM Greenwich Mean Time.

Ghana's President John Mahama has gone to see the injured in hospital.

Order has been reestablished, and the recruitment exercise has since started.