The Central Region town of Apam in the Gomoa West District has been thrown into mourning following the drowning of about 14 teenagers who went swimming on Sunday.
There are conflicting reports on the number of casualties but the police are saying that about 11 bodies have been retrieved from the estuary and three other victims rescued are in critical condition.
The sad incident occurred at a place called Bakaano of the Apam River which is the tidal mouth of a large river, where the tide meets the stream.
According to sources, the authorities in the town have banned swimming in the area but the victims said to be between the ages of 14 and 17, sneaked to the place to have fun and disaster struck.
Apart from the ban, the Apam River has been inaccessible to the public since the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic last year.
According to the District Police Commander, DSP Moses Osakono, six bodies were retrieved by midday and the search team was working to get the remaining victims.
“We were able to retrieve six bodies in the morning. We are collaborating with the DCE. My investigator is also there (Apam River). So very soon, we will mobilise the bodies to see how many we have lost,” he said.
“No one has been visiting the river. We made a clarion call to ensure no one goes to the river. We were shocked. It was a shock to us this morning,” the Commander revealed.
DSP Osakono stated that after talking to the community leaders, it has been established that the children sneaked to the river.
“They (children) did not use the usual route that leads to the river. They said the children used the joint near the river. Even those who are around the area could not see them,” the Commander added.
He revealed that there were rumours on Sunday evening that someone had drowned but the police were informed on Monday morning of the incident, which turned out be that of the said 20 children.
Later, the DCE for Gomoa West, Bismark B. Inkoom, who is part of the rescue team said, “I can confirm that we were able to get 14 people in total, out of which 11 are dead and three are in critical condition.”
They went there making merry but met their untimely deaths. They sneaked there to swim because the ban on going to the beach to swim is still in force.
He said the families were demanding the bodies but “the police will have to go to court first to secure an order for a Coroner’s Inquest.”