Two people have been confirmed dead, while three others remain in critical condition following the collapse of an illegal mining pit at Assin Dansame in the Assin North District of the Central Region.
The tragic incident occurred around 1:00 p.m. on Friday when five suspected galamsey operators were working inside a newly dug pit. According to reports, the walls of the excavation site suddenly caved in, trapping the miners beneath large volumes of soil and debris.
Residents and fellow miners quickly rushed to the scene and mounted a rescue effort. However, retrieving the victims proved difficult due to the unstable nature of the pit and the depth of the collapse.
After an intense operation, all five victims were pulled from the rubble. Two were pronounced dead, while the remaining three sustained severe injuries.
The injured victims were transported to a nearby health facility, where medical personnel say they are in extremely critical condition and receiving emergency treatment.
Police have launched investigations into the incident, while officials from the National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO) are expected to visit the site to assess the situation, investigate possible safety violations, and support the affected families.