70 killed in Ghana mining accident

NAIROBI/ACCRA - At least 70 miners have been confirmed dead after a gold mining pit collapsed in central Ghana, local media reported Tuesday.

The victims were among a group of small-scale miners who became trapped when rain caused the pit in the town of Dunkwa-on-Offin to cave in Sunday.

The rescue effort was hampered by a lack of earthmoving machinery, the reports said.

Radio broadcaster Joy FM said around 140 people, including women and children, were at work in the mine at the time of the accident.

“At this stage I don’t think we can get any survivors, those who are already trapped, I believe they may be dead now,” the police chief for the area told Joy FM.

The mine, which was abandoned by a mining firm years ago, is popular with amateurs who use their hands to dig for gold.