Three people have been confirmed dead while three others, including a baby, remain missing after a canoe carrying mourners capsized on the River Oti at Salnaayili in the Nanumba North Municipality of the Northern Region.
The incident occurred on Tuesday, July 7, when eight people — five women, a man and two babies — were returning from a funeral and attempted to cross the river.
Speaking to the media, former Assembly Member for the Salnaayili Electoral Area, Kofi Samuel, said two of the women were carrying babies at the time of the accident.
He said none of the passengers was wearing a life jacket when the canoe overturned in the middle of the river.
According to him, one of the women managed to swim to safety with her baby, while the remaining six passengers were swept away by the strong current.
Rescue teams have so far retrieved three bodies, while efforts continue to locate the three missing victims, including the baby.
Local fishermen have joined the search operation to assist rescue teams in finding the missing persons.
The tragedy has plunged the community into mourning as authorities continue recovery efforts and investigate the circumstances surrounding the canoe accident.
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