A six-year-old boy has died, and his 16-year-old sister is in critical condition after both fell into a 13-foot abandoned septic tank at Buduburam Blue Estate in the Gomoa East District of the Central Region.
The siblings, both Liberian nationals, reportedly went to fetch water from the abandoned tank on Friday morning amid the ongoing water shortage in the area.
Eyewitnesses said the little boy slipped and fell in, and his sister, attempting to save him, also tumbled into the tank.
A woman who witnessed the incident raised an alarm, drawing residents to the scene. While the community was able to rescue the teenage girl, the boy could not be immediately located.
Personnel from the Ghana National Fire Service later conducted a search, but the boy was only retrieved after traditional authorities performed libation at the scene. He was rushed to St. Gregory Catholic Hospital, where he was pronounced dead.
Residents told Adom News that the abandoned septic tank has become a source of water following severe shortages caused by illegal mining activities, which polluted the Ayensu River and forced the shutdown of the Agona Kwanyarko treatment plant.
Buduburam Fire Officer Samuel Derrick Morro confirmed the incident to Adom News.
The Assemblyman for the Buduburam Electoral Area, Emmanuel Dogbe, said he will engage traditional leaders and residents to ensure the abandoned well is covered to prevent future tragedies.
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