1 Dead, 3 Missing As Two Canoes Capsised At Ada Estuary

One person is confirmed dead and three (3) other fisherfolks are feared missing as two fishing canoes capsized at the estuary of the Volta lake and the Sea at Kewunor, Ada, in the Ada East District of the Greater Accra Region.
The incident occurred in the early hours of Thursday September 14, 2023.
The estuary at Kewunor, a spot noted for these recurrent disasters, recorded a number of such deadly incidents this year.
EAGLEGHANA sources disclosed that one of the canoes popularly referred to as Shalom was carrying about eight people while the other, which bore the inscription, Barcelona, was carrying thirteen (13) people believed to be returning from a night fishing expedition when they were met by strong tidal waves from both the sea and the Volta River, which wreaked havoc to their canoes and resulted in the disaster.
Conflicting reports indicate that fifteen out of the nineteen victims have so far been rescued. Some, according to sources swam to a nearby Island. A lifeless body of a male which is yet to be identified has reportedly been washed ashore at Atorkor, a coastal community in the Tongu area. Three victims remain unaccounted for.
A resident of Kawunor, a coastal community nearest to the disaster spot, Thomas Zormelo aka Sankara told EagleGhana.com that the sea has been very rough and that made it difficult and riskier for other fisher folks to go to the aid of their colleagues.
A survivor, Mr. Godwin Gidimatu disclosed in an interview that the incident happened around 7:00am on Thursday September 7, 2023. He noted that it took him about four hours to swim from the disaster spot to the Ohuemi Island. Sharing further details about the ordeal, he noted that the sea was so boisterous which made swimming more difficult.
Public Relations Officer of the National Disaster Management organisation (NADMO) of the Ada East District, Mr. Ebenezer Dan-Doe confirmed that one of the victims was found dead, while three remain unaccounted for. He added that the 15 other victims, mainly from Akplabanya in the Ada West District, have so far returned home safely
Rescue efforts are still ongoing.
By Henking A. Adjase-Kodjo