Ghana: Boat Capsizing on Lake Volta Kills 15, Mostly Children
Ghana: Boat Capsizing on Lake Volta Kills 15, Mostly Children
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A boat capsized on Lake Volta in northeastern Ghana, resulting in the deaths of 15 people, a majority of whom were children, according to maritime authorities reported on Sunday by Arab News.
The incident occurred on Saturday in the Krachi West District of the Oti Region. The Ghana Maritime Authority (GMA) stated that tragically, 11 of the deceased were children aged between two and 14 years. The victims, who also included adults up to age 64, were traveling from Okuma to Bovime when their vessel overturned. Four adults survived the accident.
The GMA described the disaster as “a critical and unacceptable breach of safety standards,” with preliminary findings suggesting the boat was overloaded.
Following the accident, a specialized investigation team, including naval personnel, has been deployed to determine the precise cause. The GMA also announced plans to form a high-level investigation committee with the transport ministry. Furthermore, they will launch a “sustained lakeside safety enforcement operation” to ensure strict compliance with passenger limits and life jacket rules.
Boat disasters are a recurrent issue on Lake Volta, often attributed to vessels being overloaded or colliding with submerged tree stumps. This incident follows a similar disaster in August that killed six passengers, and one in May 2023 that killed 18 people when their boat struck a submerged stump.
