Several others were injured in the accident, said to have occurred between 4:30 pm and 5:30 pm.

The victims, largely students of the Wenchi Methodist Senior High School, were on an excursion and were swimming when the tree fell from the top on them.

Many of the victims are believed to be students, who were swimming under the fall.

An eyewitness who works with the Information Services Department (ISD) told Accra based Joy FM that there was a rainstorm accompanied by wind and thunder which forced three trees to the ground..

A joint team of personnel from the Ghana National Fire Service and Ghana Police Service were at the scene to rescue the trapped victims.