Three individuals are missing after a canoe they were travelling in capsized on Tuesday evening on the Oti River in Dambai.
The incident occurred as the boat, carrying 11 passengers from Dambai, was en route to Njari, a farming and fishing community in the Krachi East Municipality of the Oti Region.
Eight people have been rescued, but the search continues for the remaining three individuals. The tragic event has raised concerns among locals who have been forced to use canoes for river crossings due to the breakdown of the only ferry serving the Oti River.
Travellers have called for urgent measures to either secure a replacement ferry or construct a bridge over the river to ensure safer passage.
In response to the incident, a rescue operation has been launched involving Navy officials and local boat operators, who are working diligently to locate the missing passengers.
The community remains hopeful as efforts to find the missing individuals continue.