Post by : Badri Ariffin

The death toll from a gold mine collapse in the western part of the Central African Republic (CAR) has risen to more than 100, according to a local Red Cross volunteer and a community official involved in relief efforts.

The accident happened on Tuesday morning at an artisanal gold mine in Zamboye village, located in the Nana-Mambere prefecture near the border with Cameroon.

The mine was a low-tech, small-scale mining site where local workers were extracting gold under difficult and dangerous conditions. The sudden collapse buried miners beneath large amounts of soil and rubble.

More Miners Feared Trapped

Gervais Ganagoroh, a local Red Cross volunteer involved in the rescue operation, said more than 100 people had died in the disaster. Several other survivors were reportedly critically injured and required urgent medical attention.

Authorities and local residents fear the death toll could increase because several miners are still missing. Some people are believed to remain trapped beneath the collapsed mine.

Bertrand Be Yangué, a member of the Zamboye youth council, said rescuers were continuing efforts to find those who may still be alive.

The disaster has caused deep sadness in the local community, particularly because many of the miners were young men and women working at the site to support their families.

Rescue Efforts Underway

Footage from the mining site showed groups of miners and other workers covered in mud as they attempted to recover victims from the collapsed pit.

Rescue workers and local miners were seen searching through the debris while people gathered around the large mining area. Some were heard calling for help as recovery operations continued.

The difficult conditions at the site have made rescue efforts challenging, particularly with people potentially trapped beneath unstable rubble.

Investigation Into Mine Collapse

An official investigation has been opened to determine what caused the gold mine to collapse.

The investigation will also focus on identifying the victims, determining who was responsible for operating the mining site and examining whether any criminal liability exists.

The prosecutor at the Baboua sub-prefecture court confirmed that authorities are investigating the circumstances surrounding the deadly accident.

Artisanal Mining Remains Dangerous

Artisanal and small-scale mining accidents are a recurring problem in the Central African Republic. Thousands of people work in small-scale mining operations across the country, often with limited safety equipment and protection.

Miners working at such sites can face serious risks from unstable ground, poorly supported tunnels and sudden collapses.

The Zamboye disaster is therefore drawing attention to the safety conditions faced by workers in the country's informal mining sector.

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