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

No fewer than six people have died amid a stampede at a military recruitment gathering held in a stadium in the West African nation.

The Wednesday's "devastating" incident seems to have been caused by "an unexpected surge of candidates who overcame security measures and stormed the gates," announced a release from Ghana's armed forces.

Twenty-two others were injured, including five who are in serious state.

A large crowd had turned up at El-Wak stadium, in the main city, the capital, with the hope of joining the military.

The country has a rate of joblessness among young people of approximately thirty-two percent, the latest official data show, and such enlistment drives normally attract large crowds and frequently result in disorderly situations.

The closing date to submit applications for this event was extended by a seven days to allow for additional candidates, as some had experienced difficulties in the process.

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

The nation's leader John Mahama has visited the wounded in medical care.

Calm has been reestablished, and the recruitment exercise has now started.