C/R: 8-year-old boy dies after falling into manhole

An eight-year-old boy has lost his life after drowning in an abandoned manhole at Blue Rose Estate in Buduburam, situated in the Gomoa East District of the Central Region.

The victim, Elijah Success Kaba, along with his 15-year-old cousin, Andrew Jallo, who is currently in critical condition, fell into the manhole while attempting to draw water from it.

Responding promptly to the incident, personnel from the Ghana National Fire Service rescued both individuals and transported them to St. Gregory Catholic Hospital. Regrettably, Elijah passed away while undergoing treatment.

In an interview monitored by The Ghana Report, Buduburam Fire Station Officer DO II Samuel Derry Moro confirmed the incident and said, “We received a call while at the station about two children who had fallen. Within 10 minutes, we were on the scene. We rescued the 15-year-old, but despite our best efforts, we could not save the eight-year-old”.

“We involved town elders to assist with the proper rites before continuing our rescue efforts”.

Some residents have attributed the tragedy to the estate owners, Blue Rose Limited, and are urging authorities to take swift action.

One resident remarked, “We are appealing for this manhole to be relocated to higher ground where water problems won’t occur. At the very least, it should be filled for now to prevent further accidents and save the lives of children in the community”.