No Fewer Than 6 Lose Their Lives in Crowd Crush at Ghana Armed Forces Enlistment Event

No fewer than six people have died amid a stampede at a armed forces enlistment event held in a stadium in the West African nation.

The Wednesday's "devastating" event appeared to have been caused by "a sudden rush of candidates who breached security protocols and rushed into the entrances," announced a statement from Ghana's armed forces.

Twenty-two additional individuals were hurt, among them 5 who remain in serious state.

Thousands had gathered at El-Wak stadium, in the main city, the capital, with the hope of joining 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 large crowds and frequently lead to chaotic scenes.

The closing date to submit applications for this recruitment was prolonged for a week to allow for additional candidates, as some had experienced challenges in the process.

Military representative Captain Veronica Adzo Arhin said the stampede took place ahead of the planned commencement time of 06:20 GMT.

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

Order has been restored, and the enlistment process has now begun.