A reported drowning incident involving four persons on the Dorbor River has once again triggered alarm in Grand Kru County, with residents and community leaders calling for urgent government’s intervention following a long history of fatalities linked to the dangerous river crossing.
According to eyewitness accounts from the latest incident in Klaydepa, three persons were rescued while one remains missing as search efforts continue.
The tragedy has reopened public discussions about repeated drowning incidents on the Dorbor River, which residents said continues to endanger lives due to the absence of a bridge.
It can be recalled that in a previous tragic incident, a 19-year-old pregnant woman, Precious Kantan, and a 16-year-old girl, Joanna Targbe, were reportedly found dead after four days of missing at the Dorbor River.
In that 2024 incident, two persons narrowly escaped death while two others were reported dead after crossing the river from Putu Town to Nyankunpo in Bolloh Statutory District. Reports indicate that the four individuals were using a floater to cross the dangerous river when the rope attached to the floater snapped, causing it to capsize.
Further reports from 2024 also confirm that a 39-year-old man, Moses Williams, alias “ZB,” drowned in the Dorbor River under similar circumstances after the rope attached to the floater was reportedly snatched by a strong current.
Residents said the repeated tragedies highlight the dangerous nature of the river, which serves as a critical crossing point for communities in Bolloh and Dorbor Statutory Districts. Many citizens must cross the river to access markets, services, and commercial centers that are otherwise unavailable in their immediate communities.
“Drowning in the Dorbor River is becoming too frequent,” a local resident said. “Every year we lose people, and nothing changes.”
Community members also said the river poses a major threat to local economic activity and development, as it restricts safe movement between towns and limits access to essential services.
Citizens and residents have now issued renewed SOS calls, urging members of the Grand Kru County Legislative Caucus to advocate for funding in the 2025 National Budget for the construction of a bridge over the Dorbor River.
They argued that a permanent bridge would significantly reduce recurring fatalities and improve economic and social connectivity across the affected districts.
As search efforts continue for the missing victim from the latest incident, residents said their hope now rests on urgent government’s action to prevent further loss of life.
However, authorities are yet to issue an official statement on the recent drowning.