Eleven persons, including two minors, drowned on Tuesday evening when a boat they were travelling on capsized in the Oti River.
Seven people have been rescued, but the others are still missing.
Assembly member of Dambai Lakeside Emmanuel Atali said that soon after the news was announced, Navy officials and local boat operators launched a massive rescue operation.
Immediately, four women, including a baby girl, were found and rushed to the intensive care unit at Dambai Health Centre.
The boat, which took off from Dambai, was heading towards Njari, a farming and fishing community under Krachi East Municipality of the Oti Region, when the disaster struck.
Sources said the passengers on board were returning from Dambai market.
Mr Clement Kwasi Checki, Chairman of Boat Operators, expressed deep grief over the incident.
“I am deeply grieved by the loss of lives due to the boat accident; my thoughts are with the bereaved families, and I pray to the Almighty to give them strength to withstand this immense loss,” he stated.
Meanwhile, a pregnant woman and two others are still unaccounted for after the tragic boat accident.
A four-year-old girl was, however, pronounced dead.
According to the Krachi East National Disaster Management Organisation officer (NADMO) Jacob Desiavour, rescue efforts are currently underway to locate the missing individuals, but the rough conditions of the river are making the search difficult.
The NADMO Director has asked residents staying along the lake to volunteer information to help the rescue team work efficiently.
Meanwhile, the families of the missing individuals are anxiously waiting for news on their loved ones.
The pregnant woman’s family is especially distraught, as they fear for both her safety and the unborn child.