A recruit of the Gambia Armed Forces (GAF) has died after collapsing following a rigorous Combat Fitness Test (CFT) at the GAF Training School in Fajara on Friday.

The recruit, whose name has not been released, collapsed after completing the 12-kilometre test while wearing full combat gear and carrying about 15kg of weight, according to the GAF.

He was taken to Ndemban Clinic in Bakau, where he later died.

The GAF said 31 other recruits were admitted for medical treatment, with eight at Ndemban Clinic and 23 at Kanifing General Hospital. Some of those admitted at Kanifing General Hospital have since been discharged, while the others are reported to be stable and under observation.

The CFT forms part of the basic military training for recruits of Intake 40 and is designed to test their physical and mental endurance.

Investigations are underway, led by the Centre for Disease Control (CDC), with support from the GAF Directorate of Medical Services and public health officers.

The GAF said samples have also been collected and sent to the National Public Health Laboratory for further testing to establish the circumstances surrounding the incident.

Chief of Defence Staff Lieutenant General Ousman Gomez has directed that the affected recruits receive appropriate medical care and treatment.

The GAF expressed condolences to the deceased recruit’s family and wished the other recruits a speedy recovery.