A pregnant teenager was critically injured and lost her unborn child after a stray bullet struck her during funeral rites in a community in the Ashanti Region, according to local officials.

The 19-year-old woman, identified as Alice Serwaa, was shot in the abdomen Thursday night during the final burial rites of a late queen mother in Hiawu Besease, in the Atwima Nwabiagya South District. She is receiving treatment at Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital, where doctors are working to stabilize her condition. Medical staff said the fetus did not survive after being struck by the bullet.

The Assembly member Nana Osei Tutu said another young girl was also injured during the incident after reportedly being hit in the eye.
According to Mr. Tutu, the local chief had arrived in the community with a group of men described by residents as enforcers to help maintain order during the funeral observances for his late mother. Tensions rose when some residents resisted a directive requiring people to remain indoors as part of the traditional rites.

Mr. Tutu alleged that a confrontation followed, during which some residents were assaulted and gunshots were fired to disperse the crowd. Amid the disturbance, Ms. Serwaa—who had been standing in front of her home—was struck by a stray bullet.

She was first taken to a nearby community-based health planning and services compound for emergency care before being transferred to Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital for further treatment.
Ms. Serwaa’s family has called on authorities to investigate the incident and hold those responsible accountable.

Source:TheDotNews