Gold mine collapse in Central African Republic kills more than 100
An artisanal gold mine collapsed on Tuesday in the village of Zamboye, Central African Republic, near the Cameroon border, killing more than 100 people. Rescue efforts continue as several people remain missing or trapped under rubble.
More than 100 people have died after a small-scale gold mine collapsed on Tuesday in Zamboye, a village in the Central African Republic close to the border with Cameroon, according to a senior figure at a local mining association.
A prosecutor confirmed that a collapse had occurred at the site but said the precise death toll and other circumstances were still being determined. Footage from the scene showed miners, mostly young men and women covered in mud, pulling a body from the pit, while dozens of other workers were scattered across the large mining area, some calling out for help.
Search operation continues
According to a statement from the prosecutor, rescue operations are ongoing and an investigation will be launched to determine what caused the collapse and who was responsible for operating the site. Officials warned the death toll could rise further, as several people remain unaccounted for and others are believed trapped beneath the debris.
Bertrand Be Yangué, a member of the Zamboye youth council, said finding survivors at this point would be nothing short of a miracle. He described the community as heartbroken over the loss of young people who had come to the mine hoping to support their struggling families.
Authorities in neighbouring Cameroon said they were prepared to receive and treat any injured people who crossed the border seeking medical care.
Small-scale, artisanal mining provides a livelihood for many across Africa, but the sector is often marked by weak oversight and inadequate safety measures, which frequently result in fatal accidents.
