🔗 Share this article

At least 6 individuals have lost their lives during a crowd crush at a military recruitment gathering held in a stadium in the West African nation.

The Wednesday's "tragic" event seems to have been triggered by "a sudden rush of applicants who overcame security measures and stormed the gates," announced a statement from Ghana's armed forces.

22 additional individuals were injured, including five who are in critical condition.

Thousands had gathered at the El-Wak sports venue, in the main city, the capital, with the hope of joining the military.

Ghana has a youth unemployment rate of about 32%, the latest official data indicate, and such recruitment events typically draw massive gatherings and frequently result in chaotic scenes.

The deadline to apply for this recruitment was extended by a seven days to accommodate more applicants, as some had experienced difficulties in the application procedure.

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

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

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