🔗 Share this article At Least Six Perish in Stampede at Ghanaian Military Recruitment Drive Thousands Gathered at the Location in Accra No fewer than 6 people have died during a crowd crush at a military recruitment event held in a stadium in the West African nation. The Wednesday's "devastating" event seems to have been triggered by "an unexpected surge of candidates who breached security protocols and rushed into the gates," stated a statement from the nation's military. 22 additional individuals were hurt, including five who remain in critical condition. A large crowd had turned up at the El-Wak sports venue, in the main city, the capital, with the hope of joining the armed forces. Ghana has a youth unemployment rate of about 32%, the latest government statistics show, and such enlistment drives typically attract large crowds and often lead to chaotic scenes. The closing date to submit applications for this recruitment was extended by a week to allow for additional candidates, as some had experienced difficulties in the process. Military representative Capt Veronica Adzo Arhin said the stampede occurred before the event's scheduled start of 6:20 AM Greenwich Mean Time. The nation's leader John Mahama has gone to see the wounded in hospital. Calm has been restored, and the recruitment exercise has now begun.