Amansie Central: Four feared dead after illegal mining pit collapses at Skuumu

A tragic mining accident has plunged the community of Skuumu, near Gyaman-Nkwanta in the Amansie Central District, into grief after four young men suspected to be involved in illegal mining lost their lives in a pit collapse on Wednesday afternoon.

The victims were reportedly working in a galamsey pit when the earth suddenly caved in on them at about 4:00 p.m., trapping them underground.

Eyewitnesses said fear and confusion gripped the area moments after the incident as residents rushed to the scene screaming for help.

“It was a heartbreaking moment. People were shouting and trying desperately to rescue the miners before security officers arrived,” a resident recounted.

Sources within the community alleged that the land where the incident occurred belongs to Volta Resource, a mining company said to have permitted illegal miners to operate on the site. Reports also indicate that Logist Group Company Limited had earlier been assigned by government to reclaim the degraded land.

Rescue personnel, together with security officers and residents, worked for several hours before an excavator was eventually deployed to retrieve the bodies from the collapsed pit.

One of the deceased has been identified as Solomon Amadevor, while the names of the remaining three victims are yet to be released.

The latest tragedy has once again highlighted the dangers associated with illegal mining activities, as many unemployed youth continue to risk their lives in search of quick income through galamsey.

“This should serve as a wake-up call to authorities and young people engaging in illegal mining. Too many lives are being lost,” another resident lamented.

Source: Ghana/otecfmghana.com