Twenty-two fishermen have returned safely to shore after being abandoned at sea by armed attackers, with search efforts ongoing to bring back others who remain offshore.
The victims were part of a group of 50 fishermen whose boats were reportedly ambushed by heavily armed men. During the attack, the assailants allegedly seized their outboard motors, leaving the fishermen stranded and unable to navigate back to land.
The 22 survivors were rescued from two separate canoes after fellow fishermen located them and towed their disabled boats to safety.
Eyewitnesses at the landing beach described emotional scenes as the men stepped ashore.
“It was a frightening experience. We thought we were not going to make it,” one of the rescued fishermen recounted. “They took our engines and left us helpless in the middle of the sea.”
Another survivor said, “If not for our colleagues who came looking for us, we don’t know what would have happened.”
Families and residents gathered in large numbers to receive the fishermen, erupting in cheers upon their arrival. In line with local custom, white powder was sprinkled over the returnees as a symbol of joy, relief, and gratitude for their safe return.
Community leaders say efforts are underway to locate and assist the remaining fishermen still at sea.
The incident happened on Wednesday, February 25, during a night fishing expedition when heavily armed men reportedly stormed the fishing grounds. Witnesses say the attackers fired several warning shots, held the fishermen at gunpoint, and seized seven outboard motors, generators, and other valuables before fleeing the scene.
The raid left more than 50 fishermen stranded at sea after their equipment was taken, rendering their canoes immobile.
The Member of Parliament for Awutu Senya West, Gizella Tetteh, confirmed that four canoes were immediately dispatched to support the affected fishermen and help tow them back to safety.
She noted that the response was later reinforced by the Ghana Armed Forces, which deployed a joint rescue team made up of Navy and Air Force personnel to assist with ongoing recovery efforts.
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