A mother and her three children were among the four people that drowned in a dyke that was purportedly built in a lagoon by a salt mining firm in Laklevikope, Ketu South Municipality, Volta Region.

The family of 5 who went fishing along the lagoon in the enclave got drowned with the man of the family being the only survivor.

The event, which occurred on September 17, 2022, has left the neighborhood in shock and sadness.

The victims, a mother in her late 30s and her three children, aged between 9 to 14, died while attempting to save one of the kids who had fallen into a dyke built by the Seven Seas Salt Mining Limited salt mining company.

The dyke, which is about 12 feet, has now become a danger zone for residents here who are fisherfolks.

Assembly member for the area, Victor Ayaku said the activities of the salt mining company have put them in danger.

“Residents who are fisherfolk are now living in fear as they can no longer go fishing.”

He also noted that, the community is in no way benefiting from the activities of the company.

Some residents who spoke to Citi News appealed to the authorities to ensure safety measures are followed by the company to prevent future occurrences.

They also urged the mining company to put safety signposts along the lagoon, to prevent similar occurrences in the future.

Meanwhile, the Public Relations officer of the Seven Seas Mining Limited, Adams Mensah said, “the company is not to be blamed for the death of the family.”

He however noted that, the company is putting measures in place to put up signposts warning residents of the dyke.