Two people have lost their lives, with another fighting for survival, after an illegal mining pit collapsed at Dansame in the Assin North District of the Central Region.

The incident happened on Thursday, April 23, when about eight individuals were working in a newly excavated pit. Reports suggest that the sides of the pit suddenly gave way, burying three of the miners under soil and debris.

Residents and fellow miners rushed to the scene to assist in rescue efforts, but operations were hampered by the unstable ground and the depth of the pit.

The Assin North District Director of the National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO), Edward Fireson, confirmed the incident and said measures are being stepped up to clamp down on illegal mining activities in the area.

After a strenuous rescue effort, the three victims were pulled from the rubble. One of them survived and was quickly transported to a nearby health facility, where doctors say he remains in a very critical condition and is receiving urgent care for multiple injuries.

The deceased—a 22-year-old woman and a 25-year-old man—have been deposited at the New Edubiase Government Hospital morgue.

Meanwhile, the police have commenced investigations into the incident, as officials from NADMO are expected to inspect the site to determine whether safety regulations were breached.