Eight school children have drowned in the Volta Lake following a boat disaster in the Sene East District of the Bono East Region.

According to the National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO), the deceased were among 20 pupils who were in the boat travelling from Atikagome to Wayokope, where their school is located.

Twelve pupils managed to swim to safety.

The eight death, NADMO says compromises five boys and three girls between the ages of five and 12.

The Sene East District Director of NADMO, Ibrahim Wudonyim, told Graphic Online that before they got to the accident scene, some community members and Marine Police had managed to retrieve all eight bodies from the Lake.

He explained that the incident happened around 7 am on Tuesday and that boat capsised midway.

The bodies have been sent to Atikagome, a fishing community.

The community has been thrown into mourning, shock and fear as a result of the incident.