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Diasporia News of Friday, 30 October 2009

Source: Reggie Tagoe

Two Ghanaians die in Parma, Italy

A solemn atmosphere engulfed the Ghanaians community in the Italian northern city of Parma when news broke out two of their compatriots has died in an auto accident, some few kilometers from the city centre.

There were 4 occupants, including one woman, in the car involved in the accident which the driver and the woman, sitting in the front seat, instantly died. There were no other vehicles involved as the car with a strong force hit an embankment and turned in the opposite direction. The two others who survived went into coma but have been resuscitated and recovering in hospital.

The dead woman who was 3 months pregnant, is said to be the wife of one of the survived passengers.

There has not been any explanation as to what led to the accident as the four, who live in neighboring town, Mantova, were said to have come to Parma, did some shopping and were returning home when the tragedy happened. It’s being said within the Ghanaians community the driver of the vehicle was intoxicated but that has not been confirmed by the police and as to whether the other occupants of the car were under the same condition.

A cousin of the driver of the vehicle who resides in Parma said the four came to his house during his absence not too long before the accident happended. According to his story, his son who was at home when the cousin called, told him he was visbly drunk. “ I wouldn’t have allowed him to go home in that condition,” he said, adding: “On one occasion when I saw him like that I seized his car keys and refused to let him drive home.”

The President of the Ghanaians Association in Parma, Adu Sarkodie, described the tragedy as unfortunate and very sad and advised his compatriots to be wary of the condition under which they drive. “For a long time now, we have not seen such an incident within the community and our condolence to the bereaved families of the two victims,” he said in a statement.

Burial and funeral is expected to take place on November 7.