Five illegal miners have been confirmed dead after a pit they were digging for gold collapsed.
Several others have also been trapped, and rescue team are currently working hard to retrieve them.
The tragic incident occurred at an illegal mining site in Mpasatia, Atwima Mponua District of the Ashanti Region on April 1.
According to a resident, Nana Nkansah, two of the victims have been retrieved and confirmed dead at the Afari Hospital.
Another three, who were retrieved later, were all confirmed dead at the disaster scene.
The incident occurred on April 1, 2025, and the five deceased miners have been deposited at the morgue, awaiting identification by family members. The remaining miners are still trapped in the pit, covered with heaps of sand, making it challenging for rescue teams to retrieve them.
Residents, together with security agencies, are working hard to rescue the remaining individuals. The rescue efforts are being hampered by the instability of the pit and the amount of sand that has filled it.
The eyewitness, Nana Nkansah, stated this on a phone interview with our news team in Kumasi.
He described the scene as chaotic, with many people rushing to the site to assist in the rescue efforts.
This incident highlights the dangers of illegal mining, which has been a persistent problem in the country.
The collapse of the mining pit is a stark reminder of the risks faced by miners in these unregulated operations.
The government has been working to address the issue of galamsey, but more effort needs to be put in place to ensure the safety of miners and prevent such tragic incidents.
The incident has sent shockwaves through the community, and many are calling for urgent action to be taken to prevent similar incidents in the country.
