Four die in boat capsize

Four persons died last Friday when the boat in which they were returning from a farm at Bimbini in the West Mamprusi District in the Northern Region capsized on the White Volta.

A fifth person, Abuba Abdulai, 27, who was said to be paddling the boat, survived the accident.

The deceased persons have been identified by the police as Abdul Samed Abdulai, 28; Yidana Tahiru, 37; Abu Haruna 24, and Rauf Tanko, 25.

The bodies have since been released to their families for burial according to Islamic customs and traditions after they were confirmed dead by a medical officer who accompanied the rescue team.

The bodies were retrieved by the Operation Thunderbolt rescue team of the National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO) and some residents.

Help

The Walewale District Police Commander, Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Mr Sarpong Bempah, who confirmed the boat accident to the Daily Graphic, said the five persons were farmers from Wugu, a farming community in the West Mamprusi District.

He said they had been invited by their colleague farmer at the Bimbini village across the White Volta to come and help him to farm beans.

Mr Bempah said they were returning from Bimbini to observe the Friday Muslim Jumah prayers when the boat in which they were capsized in the middle of the White Volta.

He said it was the practice in the area for other farmers to invite their colleagues to help them on their farms.

Rescue team

Mr Bempah said Operation Thunderbolt, stationed in Walewale, the West Mamprusi capital, upon hearing of the accident, rushed to the scene and with the help of some residents, retrieved the bodies last Saturday evening.

He said a medical officer who accompanied the police to the scene confirmed them dead after which their bodies were released to the family for burial.

The Northern Regional Director of Operations of NADMO, Mr Abu Adams, said Operation Thunderbolt had intensified public education in communities along the White Volta which overflowed its banks during this rainy season in the Northern Region.