The victims, mostly mourners travelling from Okuma to Debume for a funeral, were aboard a wooden canoe that capsized midway across the Volta Lake.

According to local reports, the boat was overloaded, and strong currents made rescue efforts difficult.

Four adults also perished, while four survivors were treated and discharged.

Confirming the incident, the Ghana Maritime Authority (GMA) described the tragedy as heartbreaking, noting that the children were between two and fourteen years old.

In a statement, the Authority expressed its deepest condolences to the bereaved families and the entire Kete Krachi community, pledging swift action to uncover the cause of the disaster.

A specialised investigation team made up of Maritime Inspectors and the Navy Task Force has been deployed to the scene to establish what led to the accident and ensure accountability.

The GMA also announced plans to form a Casualty Investigations Committee with the Ministry of Transport to push for urgent safety reforms.

The Authority further revealed that a sustained lakeside safety enforcement operation would be launched to clamp down on unsafe transport practices, particularly overloading and lack of lifejackets.

“We urge all residents and travellers along the Volta Lake to refuse boarding any boat that is visibly overloaded or without lifejackets. Your vigilance could save lives, especially those of children,” the statement urged.

The bodies of the deceased have been deposited at the Worawora Government Hospital for autopsy, while authorities continue investigations into one of the region’s deadliest maritime tragedies in recent years.

Source: Adomonline.com

According to reports, the deceased Abudu Haruna, Abdul Rauf Tanko, Abdulai Somed and Yedana Tahiruall Muslims were crossing the river to the mosque to pray when the unfortunate incident occurred.

Some residents who spoke to Adom News’ Northern Regional Correspondent, Illiasu Abdul Rauf said when the canoe begun sinking, the victims started using cutlasses as paddles to save their lives.

The Deputy Coordinator of NADMO in charge of Operations, Abu Ramadan confirmed the incident to Adom.

Mr Ramadan said upon receiving the report, his outfit quickly dispatched a team to Bimbini but on their arrival, only one person out of the five could be rescued by the villagers.

The team together with the help of local fishermen he noted are still searching for the fifth person.

Meanwhile the Walewale District Police Commander  DSP Obrako Sarpong Bempeh said bodies of the deceased will be handed over to their families for burial after investigations.