No Fewer Than 6 Lose Their Lives in Stampede at Ghanaian Armed Forces Enlistment Drive

At least six people have died amid a crowd crush at a armed forces enlistment gathering held in a sports arena in the West African nation.

The Wednesday's "tragic" incident appeared to have been triggered by "a sudden rush of candidates who breached security protocols and rushed into the entrances," announced a statement from the nation's military.

22 additional individuals were hurt, including five who are in critical condition.

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

The country has a rate of joblessness among young people of about 32%, the latest official data show, and such recruitment events normally draw massive gatherings and frequently result in chaotic scenes.

The closing date to apply for this recruitment was prolonged for a week to allow for additional candidates, as some had faced difficulties in the process.

Army spokesperson Captain Veronica Adzo Arhin said the stampede took place ahead of the event's scheduled start of 6:20 AM Greenwich Mean Time.

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

Calm has been restored, and the enlistment process has now started.