The body of a teenage girl believed to be under the age of 15 has been retrieved from a vehicle at Alajo following the devastating floods that swept through parts of Accra on Monday.
The tragic discovery comes in the wake of torrential rains that triggered widespread flooding across the capital, submerging roads, inundating homes and leaving hundreds of commuters stranded.
According to rescue personnel, they received a distress call about a lifeless body trapped inside a vehicle in the flood-hit community. Preliminary assessments suggest the victim may have been sheltering in the vehicle or was inside when rising floodwaters engulfed the area.
Emergency responders said their arrival at the scene was delayed because they were simultaneously attending to several rescue operations across Accra.
By the time they reached the location, a civilian had already entered the vehicle, retrieved the body and placed it in a body bag.
“There was a delay before the body was removed because we were informed the individual had reached an agreement with some people at the scene. I cannot speak to the details of that arrangement because I do not know what transpired,” a rescue official said.
The official confirmed that the deceased was a female believed to be no older than 15 years.
“Due to the advanced state of decomposition, we could not identify her facial features. However, we can confirm she is a female, and unfortunately, she was already dead,” the official added.
The body has since been handed over to the Kotobabi Police for onward conveyance to the mortuary, where an autopsy and formal identification process will be conducted.
The latest discovery brings further grief to the aftermath of the June 29 floods, with the Ghana National Fire Service confirming that at least 12 people have lost their lives as a result of the disaster.
READ ALSO:
Accra Floods: Alajo resident halts body recovery over payment dispute with NADMO
Unposted Environmental Health Officers renew call for recruitment after Monday floods
