Tragedy in Lawra: Search for drowned students ends as death toll hits 7

The search for the missing Lawra Senior High School students has officially come to a heartbreaking end after rescue teams recovered the final two bodies early Sunday morning, raising the death toll to seven.

Local authorities confirmed that the two remaining bodies were discovered in the Dewo River, approximately two kilometres downstream from the Dikpe section of the Black Volta River, where the tragic canoe disaster occurred on Saturday. The recovery brings closure to an intense and emotional search effort that lasted nearly 24 hours.

The victims, all members of the school's cadet corps, were on a routine morning jogging exercise when the group attempted to cross the Black Volta using a canoe. Midway across, the vessel capsized, plunging all ten students into the river’s strong currents.

While three students managed to swim to safety, seven others were swept away. An urgent rescue operation, involving local residents, NADMO officials, and community volunteers, was launched immediately. By Saturday evening, five bodies had been recovered. The discovery of the final two on Sunday morning marked the end of the operation.

The devastating incident has plunged the Lawra community into mourning, with grief spreading across the school and region.

In response, the Municipal Chief Executive, along with education and security officials, is expected to meet with the bereaved families in the coming days. The engagements will focus on providing psychological support, funeral arrangements, and additional assistance to the affected families.

The tragedy has sparked renewed concern about student safety, transportation across rural waterways, and the need for stronger protocols during school-organised activities. As investigations into the incident continue, many are calling for urgent reforms to prevent such avoidable losses in the future.