Five persons, including an eight-month-old baby are feared dead in the Offin River at Amadaa in the Atwima Mponua District of the Ashanti Region where a canoe carrying some locals has capsized.
First responders managed to save seven of the 13 people who were in the canoe that capsized after it reportedly hit a stump in the river Saturday morning.
After a nine-hour search, one dead body has been retrieved from the river. Her name was given as Ramatu in her 50s. Her body has been deposited at the Nkawie Government Hospital for autopsy.
An 80-year-old woman, who was among those rescued, and was in critical condition, was rushed to the Nkawie Government Hospital for treatment.
Assembly Member for Nkrumah-Betinko Electoral Area, Martin Prempeh, told 3News that he got a phone call about the incident around 8:00am and quickly rushed to the scene where the traditional authorities poured libation for rescuers to go into the water to search for survivors.
According to Mr Prempeh, the occupants of the canoe were on their way to their farms to fetch some foodstuffs when the incident happened.
“They were crossing the river to the other end to bring foodstuffs from their farm and the boat got sink. They were 13 on the boat and they were able to rescue 7 people,” he told 3News Saturday.
The Offin River has overflown following Friday’s downpour in the area.
Residents have meanwhile blamed the incident on uncovered pits left by some illegal miners.
But the divers say they will continue with the search when the water level becomes normal.
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