Gold mine collapses in Central African Republic, killing at least 30 miners
By: Nana Karikari At least 30 miners died and an unspecified number sustained injuries after a catastrophic gold mine collapse on Tuesday in the western region of the Central African Republic. The incident took place in the Abba area of the Nana-Mambere prefecture, leaving others trapped beneath the debris. Survivors describe a desperate rescue operation The tragedy unfolded […]
In a tragic incident that unfolded Tuesday morning in the Central African Republic, at least 30 miners lost their lives and an unknown number were injured when a gold mine collapsed in the western region of the country. The disaster occurred in the Abba area of the Nana-Mambere prefecture, leaving several others trapped beneath the rubble. Amidst the chaos, survivors have described a harrowing rescue operation.
Florian Gaguende, a miner who managed to escape the collapse, witnessed the scene firsthand. He noted that the prospects of saving trapped individuals are dwindling. Local authorities are currently searching for survivors still buried underground.
Emergency crews and nearby residents have been working tirelessly to stabilize the site and recover the deceased. Souleymane Bi, the deputy mayor of the sub-prefecture, has confirmed that 30 bodies have been retrieved so far. Injured survivors are being provided with medical care.
Bi has made an emotional plea for urgent assistance from organizations and individuals willing to help. "It is horrible and we are calling for help from organizations and all people of good will to help pull from the hole those who are unable to do so," he stated.
The disaster was captured on camera, revealing the desperate nature of the rescue efforts. Images show young miners, covered in mud, removing victims from the pit while large crowds of workers gather nearby. Some individuals can be heard shouting for help amidst the turmoil.
Government spokesman Evariste Ngamana expressed sympathy for the families of the deceased. He confirmed that officials are making every effort to provide relief and assistance to all those affected by the tragedy. However, the Central African Republic's artisanal mining sector is fraught with dangers. These small-scale extraction sites often lack adequate safety measures, and accidents are a frequent occurrence.
The inherently hazardous nature of the work, coupled with the absence of proper infrastructure and equipment, often turns routine operations into deadly events.
Written by urgent.news from GBC Ghana's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
