Search teams in the Brong Ahafo Region have brought rescue efforts following the boat disaster on the Volta Lake on Sunday, to an end.
According to the Yeji Boat Union, the death toll of 15 isn’t expected to rise as no more people had been reported missing.
“Since Sunday, we’ve sent rescue teams to the area where the accident occurred and they tried their best to retrieve 15 dead bodies from the lake . Yesterday [Tuesday], we had the last search. Nobody has come to report anyone missing so we know that the 15th body is the last one we are going to retrieve from the lake,” the Chairman of the Boat Union, Noah Sarfo told Citi News.
Initial reports indicated that six children all under three years old, drowned as their bodies were retrieved from the river on Sunday by a rescue team.
Subsequently, a total of 15 bodies have been retrieved.
Noah Sarfo bemoaned the unwillingness of passengers on the boats to wear the appropriate safety attire before the trips, but stated that the relevant authorities will work together to ensure that the regulations are observed.
“The District Assembly, Ghana medical authorities and the Navy need to work together to implement laws. When the passengers are given the life jackets, they refuse to wear it. We want to work with the navy to ensure that anyone found without a life jacket will be removed from the boat or charged,” he added.
Investigations into cause of accident ongoing
The Yeji District Police Commander, ASP Abraham Bansa, indicated to Citi News that investigations are ongoing to establish the cause of the accident.
This incident follows another in May, where about fifteen people were rescued in an accident involving a ferry heading towards Yeji.
In January, one person died while hundreds were rescued in February in two different accidents.
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By: Edwin Kwakofi/citifmonline.com/Ghana