No Fewer Than 6 Lose Their Lives in Stampede at Ghana Military Recruitment Drive

At least 6 individuals have died during a stampede at a military recruitment gathering held in a sports arena 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 gates," stated a statement from Ghana's armed forces.

22 additional individuals were injured, among them 5 who remain in critical condition.

Thousands had turned up at El-Wak stadium, in the main city, the capital, with the hope of joining the armed forces.

Ghana has a youth unemployment rate of approximately thirty-two percent, the most recent government statistics indicate, and such enlistment drives typically attract large crowds and frequently result in disorderly situations.

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

Army spokesperson Captain Veronica Adzo Arhin said the crush took place ahead of the event's scheduled start of 06:20 GMT.

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

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