7 dead as illegal mine collapses in Ghana

ACCRA, Ghana

At least seven people were killed and three others injured after an illegal mining pit collapsed Monday in Ghana’s eastern region, National Disaster Management Organization (NADMO) confirmed Tuesday.

Douglas Adomako, NADMO’s deputy director for the Birim district, told local media that about 18 miners were working in the mine at the Korley Teye site when it collapsed Monday morning, leading to seven deaths.

The Korley Teye site is a bustling location where many local youths engage in small-scale illegal mining activities.

Rescue efforts are underway to rescue the trapped miners.

An eyewitness, Frank Owusu Amoah, who promptly rushed to the scene, said local people tried to rescue the trapped miners, using whatever tools were available. However, with darkness descending upon the area and rain, the rescue efforts became increasingly challenging.

By late afternoon, no official rescue team had arrived at the scene, leaving the miners and locals to rely solely on their own resources, he added.