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

No fewer than 6 people have lost their lives amid a crowd crush at a armed forces enlistment gathering 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 gates," announced a statement from the nation's military.

22 others were hurt, among them five who remain in critical condition.

Thousands had gathered at the El-Wak sports venue, in the capital, the capital, with the hope of enlisting in the military.

Ghana has a youth unemployment rate of about thirty-two percent, the latest government statistics indicate, and such enlistment drives typically draw large crowds and often result in chaotic scenes.

The deadline to submit applications for this event was extended by a seven days to allow for more applicants, as a number had faced challenges in the application procedure.

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

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

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