🔗 Share this article

No fewer than 6 individuals have died during a stampede at a military recruitment event held in a stadium in the West African nation.

The Wednesday's "devastating" incident appeared to have been triggered by "a sudden rush of applicants who breached security protocols and rushed into the gates," stated a statement from the nation's military.

22 others were injured, among them five who remain in serious state.

Thousands had gathered at El-Wak stadium, in the capital, Accra, with the hope of enlisting in the military.

The country has a rate of joblessness among young people of approximately 32%, the latest government statistics show, and such recruitment events typically draw massive gatherings and frequently result in chaotic scenes.

The closing date to apply for this recruitment was prolonged for a week to accommodate more applicants, as some had experienced difficulties in the process.

Military representative Capt Veronica Adzo Arhin said the crush occurred before the event's scheduled start of 06:20 GMT.

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

Calm has been reestablished, and the enlistment process has since started.