Rescuers recover more bodies after Central African Republic mine collapse kills over 100

BANGUI, Central African Republic (AP) — As the clock ticks and the hope of finding survivors begins to wane, the grim reality of a collapsed gold mine in Central African Republic looms large. More than 100 people perished in the disaster that occurred two days ago in Zamboye, near the border with Cameroon. Rescuers are still sifting through the debris, recovering bodies, but the scale of the tragedy has left the rescue effort struggling to cope.

Jérémie Ngbiri, a miner who lost his brother and a friend, lamented the inadequacy of the response, stating that "the rescue effort is being organized, but it is not up to the task." The local Red Cross is on the ground, aiding in the search, but remains uncertain about the number of victims still entombed. Over 10 bodies were retrieved from the rubble on Thursday morning alone, and the grim tally continues to rise with each passing hour.

The mine's collapse on Tuesday was triggered by a landslide, and local authorities and the Red Cross reported more than 100 deaths, warning that the figure will likely climb. Mines Minister Rufin Benam Beltoungou conveyed condolences to the families of the victims and cautioned miners about the perils of hazardous mining practices.

The deceased included individuals from neighboring Cameroon, with Cameroon's Mines Ministry acknowledging the presence of both Cameroonian and Central African miners among the dead. They have dispatched a team to evaluate the situation along the border. The state-run Cameroon Tribune reported that at least four Cameroonians lost their lives.

Artisanal mine collapses are a recurrent issue in Central African Republic, where thousands of people are employed in small-scale mining, often with minimal protection. The pits are typically dug by hand and can plunge several meters deep.