According to sources in the local government, six of the children, alongside their father, were returning from the farm when the canoe conveying them capsized

It was gathered that the family of seven had gone to the farm to harvest cassava, and on their way back, the canoe sank, but one of the children was said to have survived.

A source who simply identified himself as  Ameh told journalists in a telephone chat, that rescue efforts were immediately launched by local divers and community members.

The Chairman of the local government, Melvin James, who confirmed the incident, said that the seven people were on board the canoe when it capsized, and five children died in the boat mishap.

He said, “The man and six of his children had gone to the farm to harvest crops, but on their way back home, the canoe conveying them capsized and they drowned.

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“Though the canoe was overloaded, which might have caused the mishap, the father and one of the children survived.

The council chairman said that the wife was not in the canoe when the incident happened.

While describing the incident as unfortunate, James extended his condolences to the family.

Source: Punch