No Fewer Than 6 Lose Their Lives in Crowd Crush at Ghana Military Recruitment Event

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

The midweek "tragic" incident appeared to have been caused by "an unexpected surge of candidates who breached security protocols and stormed the gates," stated a release from Ghana's armed forces.

22 others were injured, including five who are in serious state.

A large crowd had turned up at the El-Wak sports venue, in the main city, Accra, with the aspiration of joining the military.

The country has a rate of joblessness among young people of about 32%, the most recent government statistics indicate, and such recruitment events normally draw massive gatherings and frequently result in chaotic scenes.

The closing date to submit applications for this recruitment was extended by a seven days to accommodate additional candidates, as a number had experienced challenges in the process.

Military representative Captain Veronica Adzo Arhin said the crush occurred ahead of the event's scheduled start of 6:20 AM Greenwich Mean Time.

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

Calm has been reestablished, and the enlistment process has since started.