At least nine people are feared dead and two others remain missing following a tragic boat accident on the Volta Lake in the East Gonja District of the Savannah Region.
The incident occurred around 5:30 p.m. on Wednesday, April 8, 2026, between Sikakope and Mataiko, along a busy transport route linking Yeji to Congo.
According to preliminary reports, the boat, carrying 14 passengers, capsized after encountering adverse weather conditions on the lake.
Out of the 14 individuals onboard, seven deaths have so far been confirmed. The deceased include two women and five children. Five male passengers were rescued from the water.
Rescue teams have retrieved seven bodies, while one woman and one child remain missing as search efforts continue.
Local emergency response teams, with support from community volunteers, are actively combing the lake in an effort to locate the missing victims.
Authorities have indicated that none of the passengers were wearing life jackets at the time of the incident, a factor believed to have significantly worsened the outcome.
The tragedy has once again raised concerns about safety compliance on inland water transport, particularly on the Volta Lake, where boat travel remains a critical means of mobility for many riverside communities.
Officials are expected to launch a full investigation into the circumstances surrounding the accident, including weather conditions, vessel capacity, and adherence to safety regulations.
Meanwhile, families of the victims have begun gathering at nearby communities as they await news of their loved ones.
The latest incident adds to a growing list of fatal boat accidents on the Volta Lake, intensifying calls for stricter enforcement of maritime safety protocols and improved access to life-saving equipment.