Tragedy in Sunyani Zongo as 3-year-old boy drowns after downpour

The Sunyani Zongo community is in shock after a tragic incident. A three-year-old boy drowned in a gutter during heavy rain on Saturday, May 17.

The boy, Ismaeli Ibrahim, fell into a storm drain between 3:00 p.m. and 4:00 p.m. This happened shortly after intense rains hit the Sunyani Municipality. The storm caused significant flooding in the area.

Mr. Abdul Ikad Issah, the Assembly Member for Zongo, shared details of the incident. Ismaeli was playing with a friend when one of their slippers fell into the gutter. While trying to retrieve it, he slipped into the waterlogged drain and was swept away.

“Some bystanders saw what happened and tried to rescue him,” Mr. Issah told the Ghana News Agency (GNA). “Unfortunately, the water carried him away through the storm drain.”

His body was later found near Angola enclave by the Sunyani main garage. He was taken to Sunyani Teaching Hospital, where he was pronounced dead on arrival.

The family received permission from police for burial rites according to Islamic customs after obtaining a medical report.

This incident has raised concerns about uncovered and poorly maintained drainage systems in the area. Residents are urging local authorities to improve flood safety measures during rainy seasons.