Two people have died after an illegal mining pit collapsed in Mpasatia Yaw Nkwantah, Atwima Mponua District, Ashanti Region, on Tuesday morning. Some miners are also believed to be trapped, and rescue teams are working to save them.
The identities of the deceased and those trapped are yet to be confirmed. Local residents, along with the police and security agencies, managed to recover the bodies of the deceased, and efforts are still underway to rescue the others.
Community members say the pit is owned by an individual who allowed mining to take place without proper supervision. Nana Nkansah, a local, explained that the miners had dug deep into the pit, causing the top to weaken and eventually collapse. He noted that the miners use simple tools, making the pits unstable.
The bodies have been taken to the morgue for identification. This is the second time a similar incident has occurred at the same illegal mining site.
Although the Ashanti Regional Security Council has been cracking down on illegal mining, the practice continues in several areas of the region.
