At Least 6 Lose Their Lives in Stampede at Ghanaian Military Recruitment Drive

At least six individuals have lost their lives during a stampede at a military recruitment event held in a sports arena in Ghana.

The midweek "devastating" incident seems to have been triggered by "a sudden rush of candidates who breached security protocols and stormed the entrances," stated a release from the nation's military.

Twenty-two others were hurt, among them 5 who are in serious state.

A large crowd had gathered at El-Wak stadium, in the main city, Accra, with the aspiration of joining the armed forces.

Ghana has a rate of joblessness among young people of approximately thirty-two percent, the latest government statistics indicate, and such recruitment events typically attract massive gatherings and frequently result in chaotic scenes.

The closing date to apply for this recruitment was prolonged for a seven days to allow for additional candidates, as a number had experienced difficulties in the process.

Military representative Captain Veronica Adzo Arhin said the stampede took place before the event's scheduled start of 6:20 AM Greenwich Mean Time.

The nation's leader John Mahama has visited the injured in hospital.

Order has been reestablished, and the recruitment exercise has since begun.