At Least Six Lose Their Lives in Crowd Crush at Ghana Armed Forces Enlistment Drive

No fewer than six people have died during a stampede at a armed forces enlistment event held in a sports arena in Ghana.

The Wednesday's "devastating" incident appeared to have been triggered by "an unexpected surge of candidates who overcame security measures and rushed into the entrances," stated a statement from the nation's military.

22 others were injured, among them five who remain in serious state.

Thousands had turned up at the El-Wak sports venue, in the main city, the capital, with the hope of enlisting in the armed forces.

Ghana has a youth unemployment rate of approximately thirty-two percent, the latest government statistics show, and such recruitment events typically draw large crowds and frequently lead to chaotic scenes.

The closing date to apply for this event was prolonged for a seven days to allow for additional candidates, as some had experienced challenges in the process.

Military representative Captain Veronica Adzo Arhin said the crush occurred before the event's scheduled start of 06:20 GMT.

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

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