A night-time illegal mining operation at Kasotie in the Atwima Mponua District of the Ashanti Region has ended in tragedy after an abandoned pit caved in, killing seven people and leaving five others in critical condition.
According to community sources cited by Adomonline, only four of the twelve victims are known residents of the area, suggesting that many of the miners involved were outsiders. The miners, who reportedly operate under the cover of darkness to evade detection, were trapped when the unstable pit walls collapsed on Wednesday night, October 1.
Rescue operations led by the National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO), emergency services, and local volunteers continued for several hours before the mission was called off after all twelve victims were accounted for. The five survivors were rushed to the Nyinahin Government Hospital for treatment.
Atwima Mponua District Chief Executive, Ibrahim Isshak, condemned the recurring illegal mining activities and urged the incident to serve as a warning to others engaged in the dangerous practice. Shocked residents say the disaster has left the community gripped with fear.