At Least Six Perish in Stampede at Ghana Military Recruitment Event

At least six individuals have lost their lives during a crowd crush at a armed forces enlistment event held in a sports arena in the West African nation.

The midweek "tragic" incident seems to have been triggered by "a sudden rush of applicants who overcame security measures and rushed into the gates," announced a statement from the nation's military.

Twenty-two others were hurt, including 5 who are in critical condition.

Thousands had turned up at the El-Wak sports venue, in the capital, the capital, with the hope of joining the military.

Ghana has a youth unemployment rate of about 32%, the latest government statistics show, and such recruitment events typically draw massive gatherings and often lead to disorderly situations.

The closing date to apply for this event was prolonged for a week to allow for more applicants, as a number had faced difficulties in the application procedure.

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

Ghana's President President John Mahama has visited the injured in medical care.

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