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Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia has paid a visit to the Kintampo accident scene on Monday to commiserate with the affected families.

The accident occurred on Sunday, March 19 at about 4:30 pm claiming about 18 lives and leaving about 22 victims with serious injuries.

The deceased together with the injured victims were said to have been swimming at the base of the Kintampo Waterfalls when a tree fell on them following a heavy downpour in the area.

Fifteen of the deceased are from Wenchi Methodist Senior High School and three from the University of Energy and Natural Resources.

The students who were returning from an excursion reportedly diverted to the Kintampo falls, resulting in the Sunday's misfortune.

Dr. Bawumia described the incident as a "major loss" and a disaster that's befallen the entire nation.

He expressed condolences to the affected families and pledged government's support for them.

"On a very sad note, very [very] sad note; we're here on behalf of the President, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, who's currently not in the country. I spoke to him this morning, told him of our intention to come here immediately and we arranged to come here, to see what has happened and then to mourn with the bereaved families and all of us because they're all part of one family which is the family of Ghana. So, this bereavement which we have lost 18 young men and women really at the prime of their lives learning, trying to make a difference to their lives and to this country. We've lost them under very [very] tragic circumstances. We'll have to continue to pray for their souls as we mourn with their families. This is a major loss not only for Brong Ahafo but for all of Ghana and may their souls rest in peace. We're here to show solidarity and to mourn with all of us," Dr. Bawumia said.

The Vice President visited three bereaved families and also 2 victims on admission at the Kintampo Municipal Hospital.

He was accompanied by the Tourism Minister, Madam Catherine Afeku and the Brong Ahafo Regional Minister, Kwaku Asoma Cheremeh.

Also speaking to the affected families, Hon. Asoma Cheremeh was grieved by the incident, stating that "we're not happy because the news is not good. We're not happy because we're mourning. We're however happy because our leadership have that touch for Kintampo municipality, for the bereaved family and for the entire Brong Ahafo. Within a short period that they were notified, the Vice President of the Republic of Ghana together with his entourage thought it prudent enough to be here to mourn with Brong Ahafo, to mourn with Kintampo municipality, to mourn with the bereaved families."

The Tourism Minister further noted that "the tourist site will not be closes down as a result of the tragedy. We're here to support and encourage the families that are bereaved."