At Least Six Perish in Stampede at Ghanaian Armed Forces Enlistment Event

No fewer than six people have lost their lives amid a stampede at a military recruitment event held in a stadium in the West African nation.

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

Twenty-two additional individuals were hurt, including 5 who are in critical condition.

Thousands had gathered at El-Wak stadium, in the capital, Accra, with the hope of joining the armed forces.

Ghana has a youth unemployment rate of approximately 32%, the latest government statistics indicate, and such recruitment events normally draw large crowds and frequently lead to chaotic scenes.

The deadline to apply for this event was prolonged for a seven days to accommodate additional candidates, as some had faced difficulties in the process.

Army spokesperson Captain Veronica Adzo Arhin stated the stampede took place ahead of the event's scheduled start of 6:20 AM Greenwich Mean Time.

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

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