Tragedies Strike Across Ghana: Six Lives Lost in Road and Mining Accidents as Hajj Pilgrim Passes in Saudi Arabia

A series of tragic incidents across Ghana and in Saudi Arabia has claimed the lives of at least seven Ghanaians within a 48-hour period, highlighting ongoing concerns over road safety and illegal mining hazards. On May 28, 2026, a horrific accident near the Senchi market in the Asuogyaman District resulted in the deaths of two individuals. A heavy-duty tipper truck reportedly lost control while navigating a busy highway and overturned, crushing the occupants inside. Despite the frantic rescue attempts by bystanders and a joint emergency response from the Ghana Police Service and the Ghana National Fire Service, both victims were pronounced dead at the scene. The incident caused extensive traffic delays along the highway as authorities worked to clear the wreckage and initiate an investigation into the cause of the crash.

In the Ashanti Region, the community of Bepotenten Sukuum in the Amansie Central District is mourning the loss of four young men following a mining pit collapse on May 27, 2026. The victims, identified as Nartey Solomon (30), Ezekiel (22), Awudu (27), and Yaro (26), were conducting illegal mining operations at an abandoned site currently under reclamation by a private firm. Police reports indicate the pit collapsed around 4:00 p.m., trapping the miners. With the assistance of community members, the bodies were recovered and sent to the St. Peter’s Catholic Hospital Mortuary in Jacobu for autopsy. Preliminary examinations revealed severe physical trauma, including significant head injuries and a severed limb, underscoring the extreme dangers of unregulated mining activities.

Simultaneously, the Pilgrims Affairs Office of Ghana (PAOG) has confirmed the passing of a Ghanaian pilgrim during the 2026 Hajj in Saudi Arabia. Alhaji Sulemana Iddrisu, 60, died on May 26 while at the plains of Arafat. According to Islamic tradition, dying in a state of Ihram on Arafat Day is considered a significant spiritual honor, and the deceased was buried in accordance with local customs following family notification. This marks the second Ghanaian fatality during the current Hajj season, following the death of another pilgrim during the Tawaf at the Holy Kaaba on May 22.

These collective tragedies have prompted calls for increased vigilance and stricter enforcement of safety protocols across various sectors. While the Akosombo Divisional Police Command continues to investigate the circumstances surrounding the Senchi truck accident, local authorities in the Ashanti Region are grappling with the persistent challenge of illegal mining at abandoned sites. The PAOG has extended its condolences to the families of the deceased pilgrims, while Ghanaian law enforcement officials emphasize the need for transport unions and mining communities to prioritize the preservation of life to prevent further loss.