A five-year-old girl has drowned after reportedly falling into an uncovered borehole at Ansaful in Winneba in the Central Region.
The incident occurred on Thursday evening, September 3, while a one-week programme was ongoing at a nearby Christ Apostolic Church.
The child reportedly went missing at about 5 p.m., prompting relatives and residents to join the search.
According to an eyewitness, the search led to the discovery of one of the girl’s slippers near the borehole, while another was found inside it, raising suspicion that she may have fallen into the facility.
The water was subsequently pumped out, after which the girl’s body was found inside the borehole and retrieved with the assistance of a ladder.
The Central Regional Fire Service Public Relations Officer, ADO 1 Kwasi Attifah, said the service received a distress call at about 7:57 p.m. and worked with the Police and NADMO to recover the body.
He said although the Fire Service vehicle was out of commission at the time, personnel made alternative arrangements to reach the scene.
ADO 1 Kwasi Attifah said personnel used a water pump to drain the borehole before entering it to continue the search.
The body was handed over to the Police and later conveyed to the mortuary, with a post-mortem examination expected to be conducted.
Police investigations are ongoing to establish the circumstances surrounding the incident.
The Fire Service has urged parents and guardians to closely supervise children and advised property owners and contractors to properly secure dangerous structures and openings to prevent similar accidents.
The borehole has since been closed.
