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

No fewer than 6 individuals have lost their lives amid a stampede at a military recruitment event held in a stadium in the West African nation.

The Wednesday's "devastating" event seems to have been caused by "a sudden rush of candidates who overcame security measures and stormed the gates," announced a statement from Ghana's armed forces.

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

A large crowd had turned up at El-Wak stadium, in the main city, Accra, with the aspiration of enlisting in the military.

The country has a youth unemployment rate of approximately thirty-two percent, the latest government statistics indicate, and such recruitment events normally draw massive gatherings and often lead to disorderly situations.

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

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

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

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