A 24-year-old aid worker has died in a drowning accident in Ghana.

Natalie Higgins from Abbeyknockmoy near Tuam in Co. Galway had travelled to Ghana just over a week ago.

She and two companions went swimming; she got into difficulty and drowned. Her two companions survived.

Fr Joe O'Brien, Parish Priest, said the community was deeply shocked by news of the tragedy.

He said Natalie was a wonderful person who always gave of herself so freely and the community was finding it difficult to come to terms with her tragic death.

The Department of Foreign Affairs is helping the family.