Three people have been confirmed dead, while three others, including a baby, remain missing after a canoe carrying mourners capsized on the River Oti at Salnaayili in the Nanumba North Municipality of the Northern Region.

The incident occurred on Tuesday, July 7, when eight people—comprising five women, a man and two babies—were returning from a funeral and attempted to cross the river in a canoe.

Speaking to the media, former Assembly Member for the Salnaayili Electoral Area, Kofi Samuel, said two of the women were carrying babies at the time of the incident and that none of the passengers was wearing a life jacket when the canoe overturned midway through the journey.

According to him, one of the women managed to swim to safety with her baby, while the remaining six occupants were swept into the river.

Rescue teams have since recovered three bodies, while three other victims, including a baby, remain unaccounted for.

Local fishermen have joined the rescue operation to assist in the search for the missing persons as efforts continue.

Authorities are expected to provide further updates on the incident as search and recovery operations progress.