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

At least six individuals have died during a crowd crush at a military recruitment event 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," announced a statement from the nation's military.

Twenty-two additional individuals were injured, among them 5 who are in serious state.

Thousands had turned up at the El-Wak sports venue, in the main city, Accra, with the aspiration of enlisting in the military.

The country has a youth unemployment rate of approximately 32%, the latest government statistics show, and such recruitment events normally draw massive gatherings and often result in disorderly situations.

The deadline to apply for this event was prolonged for a seven days to accommodate more applicants, as some had experienced difficulties in the process.

Military representative Capt Veronica Adzo Arhin stated the stampede took place before the planned commencement time of 6:20 AM Greenwich Mean Time.

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

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