Conakry, Guinea – (African Boulevard News) – Tragedy struck on Monday as at least seven young schoolgirls drowned after their canoe capsized on the Niger River near the town of Kouroussa in Upper Guinea. The girls, who were on their way to take their college entrance exams, were accompanied by their teacher who also drowned in the incident.
According to local sources, the canoe was overloaded with passengers and goods, causing it to tip over in the middle of the river. While some of the passengers managed to swim to safety, the young schoolgirls were unable to escape the fast-moving river currents.
The incident has sparked widespread outrage and grief in the community, with many calling for greater safety measures to be implemented on the river. Local authorities have pledged to launch an investigation into the incident to determine the cause of the tragedy and to prevent future accidents.
Guinea has a long history of water-related accidents, with many communities relying on canoes and boats for transportation. However, these modes of transport are often unregulated and overloaded, putting passengers at risk.
Speaking to African Boulevard News, a local resident expressed their frustration with the lack of government action to address the issue. “We have been calling for better safety regulations on the river for years, but nothing has been done,” they said. “It’s a tragedy that these young girls had to lose their lives before the government takes action.”
The incident has also drawn attention to the broader issue of access to education in Guinea, with many students forced to travel long distances to attend school. The lack of safe transportation options puts students at risk and can result in many young people being unable to access education.
As the community mourns the loss of the young schoolgirls, there are calls for the government to prioritize investments in infrastructure and safety measures to prevent similar incidents from occurring in the future. While the investigation into the incident is ongoing, many are hoping that this tragedy will serve as a wake-up call for greater action to be taken to protect the lives of those who rely on the river for transportation.
