Kintampo tragedy death toll ‘shocking’ – Gyan-Baffour

Wenchi MP Professor George Gyan-Baffour has said the number of casualties involved in the Kintampo Waterfalls is shocking and mind boggling.

According to him, initial reports he received indicated that three had died, and so it came to him as absolute shock after being told the number was 18.

Out of the 18 persons who died in the accident, 15 of them were students of Wenchi Senior High School, as confirmed by Chief Superintendent Desmond Owusu Boampong, Divisional Police Commander of Kintampo.

The students, who were swimming at the base of the waterfall, lost their lives when a nearby tree broke and fell on them following an earlier rainstorm in the area.

Speaking in an interview with Chief Jerry Forson, host of Ghana Yensom, on Accra100.5FM on Monday March 20, Prof Gyan-Baffuor said: “It is shocking, especially the number that is involved. Initially I heard that three people had lost their lives, not knowing the number was so huge. This is disturbing news that beats my imagination.

“This is unfortunate, all I can say now to the families of the victims is that they should take heart in these difficult times. I will find time to visit and console them.”

Meanwhile, President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has described as "unfortunate" the accident.

He tweeted: “I have learnt with great sadness, the unfortunate incident that occurred at Kintampo Waterfalls yesterday. My deepest condolences to the families of all those affected by this unfortunate and tragic incident.”