Two GPHA staff drown in sewerage plant

Two technicians of the Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority (GPHA) got drown in a sewerage plant on Tuesday morning at the Tema Fishing Harbour during daily routine maintenance works.

The two; Edward Ashietey and Mukailah Seidu whose ages are yet to be established fell into the sewerage plant at about 0800 hours.

Corporal Joseph Barabu, Acting Tema Police Public Relations Officer told the Ghana News Agency that the corpses of the two have been deposited at the Police Hospital mortuary awaiting autopsy.

Cpl Barabu said a third person who is alive and yet to be identified is currently responding to treatment at GPHA Clinic.

He said the Police had information about 0800 hours that three out of five technicians of GPHA have fallen into the pit inside the Fishing Harbour.

He said information gathered at the scene indicated that the five tried to escape when electrical sparks emerged from the pit after they have opened it for the maintenance works.

Cpl Barabu said two of the three who fell into the sewerage plant were rescued after their other two colleagues raised the alarm.

He said Seidu was pronounced dead on arrival at the clinic.

According to Cpl Barabu, it took personnel from the Police, the Ghana National Fire Service, the Fire and Security Departments of GPHA four hours to retrieve the body of Ashietey from the pit.**