Tragedy at Military Recruitment Event: Six Dead, Five in ICU, Twelve Critically Injured

On the morning of Wednesday, November 12, 2025, a tragic crowd crush occurred at the El‑Wak Sports Stadium in Accra, during a recruitment drive by the Ghana Armed Forces (GAF).

According to GAF’s official statement, six applicants were confirmed dead.  28 individuals were transported to the 37 Military Hospital for emergency care. Of those, five were placed in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) and twelve remain in critical condition as reported by hospital officials in the late hours of today at the hospital.

The incident occurred around 6:20 a.m. when a large surge of hopeful recruits attempted to gain entry. The crowds overwhelmed entry points, breaching security protocols and sparking the deadly scramble.

In response, security personnel cordoned off the area and blocked surrounding roads leading to the stadium to manage the emergency situation.

The recruitment exercise had originally been scheduled to close on October 31 but was extended by a week due to technical challenges with the online application portal  a factor that may have contributed to the unusually high turnout.

Officials have launched an investigation into the causes of the stampede and pledged measures to ensure stricter crowd-control in future recruitment events. The Ghana Armed Forces conveyed their deepest condolences to the families of the deceased and wished a speedy recovery to the injured