Five dead as illegal mining pit caves in

Five illegal miners have died after a mining pit collapsed on them at Ayamfuri in the Central region.

Accra-based Citi FM reports that the illegal miners were working in an abandoned mining pit between Ayamfuri and Gyaman when the unfortunate incident happened.

Some 15 others are in critical condition.

The NADMO Director for Upper Denkyira West, Isaac Gyasi said the bodies of the deceased have been deposited at the Dunkwa government hospital morgue.

“At around 3 pm  [Thursday] we had information that some illegal miners who were operating between Ayanfuri and Gyaman in the Upper Denkyira West had died after the mining pit they were working in caved in.”

“Rescue team involving the Police and NADMO moved to the area and were able to rescue the 20 illegal miners but unfortunately for them, five persons died in the process,” he said in an interview with the radio station.

He added that the mining pit belonged to a mining company operating in the area, but the illegal miners sneaked there to engage in their own activities.

According to him, the police and NADMO officials will revisit the area to continue with investigations into the incident.