🔗 Share this article

No fewer than 6 people have lost their lives amid a crowd crush at a military recruitment gathering held in a stadium in Ghana.

The Wednesday's "devastating" event appeared to have been triggered by "an unexpected surge of candidates who overcame security measures and stormed the entrances," stated a statement from Ghana's armed forces.

22 others were injured, among them 5 who remain in critical condition.

Thousands had turned up at El-Wak stadium, in the main city, Accra, with the aspiration of joining the military.

Ghana has a youth unemployment rate of approximately 32%, the latest government statistics show, and such enlistment drives normally draw large crowds and frequently lead to disorderly situations.

The deadline to submit applications for this recruitment was prolonged for a seven days to accommodate additional candidates, as a number had experienced challenges in the application procedure.

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

Ghana's President John Mahama has visited the injured in medical care.

Order has been restored, and the recruitment exercise has since started.