General News of Saturday, 20 June 2009

Source: GNA

Flood waters kill five people in Accra

Accra, June 20 GNA - Five people have so far been confirmed dead by the Kaneshie Police, after last night's heavy downpour, which also destroyed property worth millions of Ghana cedis in parts of the Accra Metropolis.

Four of the deaths occurred around the Abbosey Okai and Obetsebi-Lamptey Circle, while the fifth person was electrocuted at a place behind the Kaneshie- Takoradi station. Four of the bodies have been deposited at the Korle-bu Mortuary, while the police are making efforts to convey the last body to the morgue.

The rains also damaged pavements and washed away large positions of the asphalted road along the Obetsebi-Lamptey and the Kaneshie First Light highway.

The floods also swept a number of cars on the highway leading to motor accidents and serious traffic jam.

Some of the vehicles were abandoned by their owners, who walked to safety in the rising volumes of water.

A police spokesman, who spoke to the Ghana News Agency (GNA) on condition of anonymity, said they have heard speculations of more than five deaths but was not in the position to confirm them. He said the personnel were carrying out mopping exercises around the affected areas and expected the number of causalities to go up. 20 June 09