Two people have been confirmed dead, while another is in critical condition following the collapse of an illegal mining pit at Dansame in the Assin North District of the Central Region.
The incident occurred on the afternoon of Thursday, April 23, when eight miners were reportedly working inside a newly dug galamsey pit.
According to reports, the walls of the pit suddenly caved in, trapping three of the miners beneath heaps of soil and debris.
Residents and fellow miners rushed to the scene in an effort to rescue the trapped workers, but the unstable ground and depth of the collapsed pit made the operation difficult.
After several minutes of frantic digging, the three victims were pulled from the rubble. A 22-year-old woman and a 25-year-old man were pronounced dead, while the third victim was rescued alive but in critical condition.
The survivor was immediately transported to a nearby health facility, where medical personnel say he remains in a very serious condition and is receiving emergency treatment.
The bodies of the deceased have been deposited at the New Edubiase Government Hospital morgue for preservation and identification.
The Assin North District Director of the National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO), Edward Fireson, confirmed the incident and said authorities are intensifying efforts to clamp down on illegal mining activities in the area.
Police have since launched investigations into the circumstances surrounding the collapse, while NADMO officials are expected to inspect the site to assess possible safety and regulatory violations.