A devastating incident occurred in Takoso near Akoasi in the Birim North District of the Eastern Region, as a pit used for illegal gold mining collapsed, trapping 10 men inside.
Tragically, seven miners lost their lives in the incident, while three were miraculously rescued alive.
Local sources indicated that heavy rainfall on the fateful day contributed to the disaster.
Raymond Damptey, the Chief Executive for the Birim North District, shared details during a briefing in New Abirem, the district capital.
He received a distress call around 5 p.m. on Monday, alerting him to the entrapment of illegal miners in a gold pit at Takoso. In response, he swiftly mobilized a task force comprising the police and NADMO personnel to the scene.
According to Mr Damptey, upon arrival, he learned that the accident had occurred at approximately 9 a.m. on Monday.
Working together with local villagers, the task force successfully recovered the bodies of seven victims from the rubble and rescued three miners who were still alive.
One survivor is currently receiving treatment at the New Abirem Government Hospital, while the whereabouts of the other two remain unknown.
The bodies of the deceased have been taken to the Nkawkaw Holy Family Hospital for autopsy and preservation.
For more detailed information regarding the incident, the Daily Graphic was referred to Superintendent Kwakye, the Nkawkaw District Police Commander.
However, when contacted, Supt Kwakye stated that he was not authorized to speak to the media and advised the Daily Graphic to reach out to his superiors at the Police Headquarters.
