CAR: Scores killed in landslide at illegal gold mine
More than 100 workers may have been killed in a landslide at an illegal mine near the Central African Republic's border with Cameroon, say authorities. More miners are trapped and hope for their survival is fading.
A landslide at an illegal gold mine in the Central African Republic (CAR) claimed the lives of at least three dozen miners, with the death toll potentially reaching over one hundred. The tragic accident occurred at the Zamboye mining site, located 31 miles from Baboua, near the CAR-Cameroon border. Authorities reported that the window for survival is swiftly narrowing for those still entombed within the debris.
Video footage captured on social media depicted bodies being dislodged from the earth as the landslide engulfed the open-pit site, burying everything in its path. Rescue efforts were ongoing on Wednesday, with rescue workers finding mud-covered bodies and miners desperately calling for help. The Baboua public prosecutor's office attributed the collapse of several underground tunnels to the landslide, and initiated an investigation.
CAR government spokesman Evariste Ngamana expressed condolences and assured the public that the government is diligently working to provide relief and assistance. Illegal artisanal mines in the gold-rich region are frequently shoddily constructed, lacking proper safety standards, making the mining environment perilous for thousands of miners who risk their lives daily.
Landslides have become a frequent and devastating occurrence in the area, with numerous miners losing their lives since the beginning of the year.
Written by urgent.news from DW English (Top Stories)'s reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
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