Eight school children have drowned in the Volta Lake following the capsizing of a boat on which they were travelling.

According to the National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO), the deceased were among 20 pupils who were in the boat travelling from Atikagome to Wayokope, where their school is located.

Twelve pupils managed to swim to safety.

The eight deceased, NADMO says comprises five boys and three girls between the ages of five and twelve.

The Sene East District Director of NADMO, Ibrahim Wudonyim, told Graphic Online that before they got to the accident scene, some community members and Marine Police had managed to retrieve all eight bodies from the Lake.

He explained that the incident happened around 7:00am on Tuesday and that the boat capsized midway.

The bodies have been sent to Atikagome, a fishing community.

The community has been thrown into mourning, shock and fear as a result of the incident.