A tragic illegal mining accident has claimed the lives of two young people and left another fighting for survival after a “galamsey” pit collapsed in the Assin North District of the Central Region.
The disaster struck at approximately 1:00 p.m. yesterday while a group of eight miners were working inside a newly excavated pit. According to eyewitness accounts, the walls of the pit suddenly gave way, burying three of the workers under a massive heap of loose soil and debris.
A Frantic Rescue Effort
Local residents and fellow miners immediately launched a desperate rescue operation. However, their efforts were hampered by the depth of the pit and the dangerously unstable terrain.
After a grueling recovery effort, the three victims were pulled from the rubble:
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The Deceased: A 22-year-old woman and a 25-year-old man were confirmed dead at the scene.
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The Survivor: One miner was pulled out alive but in “extremely critical” condition. He is currently undergoing emergency treatment for multiple severe injuries at a local health facility.
Official Response and Investigations
The bodies of the deceased have been transported to the New Edubiase Government Hospital morgue for preservation.
The Ghana Police Service has officially opened an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the collapse. Simultaneously, officials from the National Disaster Management Organization (NADMO) are slated to visit the site to evaluate safety breaches and provide support to the grieving families.
“We are taking steps to intensify the fight against illegal mining in this area,” stated Mr. Edward Fireson, the Assin North District Director of NADMO, while confirming the incident.
This latest tragedy adds to the growing death toll linked to illegal mining activities across the country, renewing calls for stricter enforcement of safety regulations and mining bans in the Central Region.