No Fewer Than Six Lose Their Lives in Stampede at Ghana Armed Forces Enlistment Drive

No fewer than 6 individuals have died during a crowd crush at a armed forces enlistment gathering held in a stadium in the West African nation.

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

22 others were hurt, among them 5 who are in critical condition.

A large crowd had gathered at the El-Wak sports venue, in the capital, Accra, with the hope of joining the military.

Ghana has a rate of joblessness among young people of about thirty-two percent, the most recent official data indicate, and such recruitment events normally draw massive gatherings and frequently lead to chaotic scenes.

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

Military representative Capt Veronica Adzo Arhin stated the crush occurred before the planned commencement time of 06:20 GMT.

The nation's leader President John Mahama has visited the injured in hospital.

Order has been restored, and the recruitment exercise has since begun.