Woman and her seven-month baby die while mining oyster shells

Ho, Feb 8, GNA - Mercy Azada, 45, and her seven-month old baby boy, Mawusi Fofoe, trapped in an oyster shell mine at Gbokpo near Juapong in the North-Tongu District, died while being rushed to the Volta River Authority Hospital.

The Juapong police are investigating the circumstances of their death, Mr Joy Afagbedzi, Volta Regional Police Public Relations Officer, told the Ghana News Agency.

He said reports indicated that on January 24, Mercy with her baby strapped on her back entered the dugout with her husband Emmanuel Fofoe and Xonam Fofoe their 24-year-old daughter. Mr Afagbedzi said in course of the expedition the family, which got trapped in the pit, were taken out but Mercy and her son died before they could reach the hospital.

Mr Afagbedzi said both had head injuries when police inspected their bodies.