Seven miners have been confirmed dead after rescue operations at Asaman Tamfoe in the Atiwa East District of the Eastern Region ended, following a mining pit collapse within the concession of Xtra Gold Mining Company.

The Collapse

The collapse occurred at about 11 PM on Sunday, August 30, while the miners were reportedly working in the pit in search of gold.

District Chief Executive Ernest Owusu Ntim, who disclosed this after visiting the scene, said 11 miners were initially at the site, but four left before the collapse, apparently to attend a traditional festival.

"They were 11 and out of the eleven, I think four decided to go home because Sunday was Akwasidae. The rest were the seven bodies we were able to retrieve," he said.

The Rescue

Two miners who were outside the pit when it collapsed reportedly rushed to the community for help. Residents then mobilised a rescue team and alerted the Police and other emergency agencies.

Rescuers worked through the night and recovered the bodies of the seven miners. Personnel from the Anyinam District Police Command, the Ghana National Ambulance Service, the National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO) and community volunteers took part in the operation.

Five of the deceased have reportedly been identified as residents of Moseaso, while the other two are said to be from Asaman Tamfoe.

Investigation Underway

The Atiwa East District Security Council (DISEC) has begun an assessment to establish the circumstances that led to the collapse. Authorities have commenced investigations to determine what caused the collapse and establish the full circumstances surrounding the deaths.