Two children have drowned in a newly dug manhole at their family residence in Abokobi, a suburb of Somanya in the Yilo Krobo Municipality.
The bodies of the victims, all males, aged eight and nine, have been deposited at the Yilo Krobo District Hospital for preservation and autopsy.
The two children reportedly returned home from school but were later declared missing after several hours.
A frantic search by family members led to the discovery of their lifeless bodies in a newly dug uncovered manhole in the backyard of their home.
The family and neighbors with assistance by personnel from the Ghana National Fire Service in Somanya retrieved the bodies.
The Somanya District Police Commander, Superintendent Kingsley Abrokwa, confirmed the incident.
Superintendent Abrokwa urged property owners and residents to ensure that open drains, wells, and manholes within their homes are properly covered and secured to prevent similar tragedies.
The scene has been cordoned off.
The boys’ grandmother, Doris Tetteh, described the incident as devastating for the entire family.
“After a tireless search, their slippers were found floating on the water, that helped identified their location, hence neighbors were called in to help retrieve them. They were sent to the hospital but were declared dead. This is a very painful loss,” she lamented.
