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

At least six individuals have lost their lives amid a stampede at a military recruitment gathering held in a stadium in Ghana.

The Wednesday's "devastating" event appeared to have been caused by "an unexpected surge of applicants who breached security protocols and stormed the gates," stated a release from Ghana's armed forces.

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

A large crowd had gathered at El-Wak stadium, in the main city, the capital, 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 enlistment drives normally attract large crowds and often lead to chaotic scenes.

The closing date to submit applications for this recruitment was extended by a week to allow for additional candidates, as some had faced difficulties in the process.

Army spokesperson Capt Veronica Adzo Arhin said the crush took place ahead of the planned commencement time of 6:20 AM Greenwich Mean Time.

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

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