Six Confirmed Dead After Overloaded Canoe Capsizes in Oti River Near Salnaayili

The death toll from a tragic canoe accident on the Oti River has reached six after the final missing passenger was recovered near Salnaayili in the Nanumba North Municipality. The disaster occurred on July 7, 2026, as a group of eight people attempted to cross the river while returning from a funeral. The search and rescue operation, which lasted into the following day, concluded on July 8 when the last body was retrieved from the water, confirming the deaths of four women, one man, and an infant.

Investigations into the cause of the capsize point toward overcrowding and a lack of safety precautions. According to local reports, the small vessel was overloaded beyond its capacity and none of the passengers were equipped with life jackets at the time of the incident. While two passengers managed to survive the accident, the majority were unable to combat the river's current. This tragedy has cast a shadow over the community, highlighting the persistent dangers faced by residents who rely on water transport for essential travel between rural settlements.

In the aftermath of the event, Municipal Chief Executive (MCE) Abdul Samed Hamza visited the grieving families to offer condolences and support. Recognizing the critical need for better safety measures, the MCE donated a batch of life jackets to canoe operators in the area. This intervention is intended to prevent future loss of life by ensuring that local transporters have the necessary equipment to protect their passengers. The incident serves as a grim reminder of the urgent need for stricter enforcement of water safety regulations across Ghana's inland waterways.