At Least Six Lose Their Lives in Crowd Crush at Ghanaian Military Recruitment Drive

At least 6 people have died amid a stampede at a military recruitment event held in a stadium in the West African nation.

The midweek "tragic" incident appeared to have been triggered by "an unexpected surge of applicants who overcame security measures and stormed the entrances," stated a statement from Ghana's armed forces.

22 additional individuals were hurt, including five who are in serious state.

A large crowd had gathered at El-Wak stadium, in the main city, Accra, with the hope of enlisting in the armed forces.

Ghana has a youth unemployment rate of approximately thirty-two percent, the most recent government statistics show, and such recruitment events typically draw massive gatherings and frequently lead to chaotic scenes.

The deadline to submit applications for this recruitment was prolonged for a week to accommodate more applicants, as a number had experienced difficulties in the application procedure.

Military representative Capt Veronica Adzo Arhin stated the crush occurred ahead of the event's scheduled start of 06:20 GMT.

The nation's leader John Mahama has gone to see the injured in hospital.

Order has been reestablished, and the enlistment process has now begun.