Two die in galamsey gold pit collapse in Ashanti Region
Local people say the open-pit mine in the Amansie West District caved in with no warning, burying the two galamsey workers
At least two people have died following the collapse of a galamsey mining pit at Mpatuam Bontefufuo in the Amansie West District of the Ashanti Region.
The incident occurred on Thursday 6 August at about 8pm as a group of illegal miners prospected for gold at the site. The pit caved in suddenly and dozens of miners fled for safety.
Police in Amansie West were yet to attend the scene at the time Asaase Radio’s reporter visited the mine site.
However, the Mpatuam zonal director for the National Disaster Management Organisation, Ignatius Kingsley Amoah, confirmed that NADMO was mobilising to despatch a relief team to help find survivors.
Rescue mission ends
The remains of a first victim were recovered on Friday. Rescuers at Mpatuam Bontefufuo then recovered the body of a second man trapped when the mining pit caved in.
The discovery brought to two the death toll from the galamsey mine collapse.
The two men were in a group of four prospecting for gold on Thursday when the accident occurred.
The men’s remains have been deposited at the Afari Government Hospital in Atwima Nwabiagya.
Jonathan Ofori, Ashanti Region correspondent
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