Kathmandu. More than 100 people have died after a gold mine collapsed in the western Central African Republic.
The accident took place on Wednesday at a small gold mine in the Abba region, according to local authorities and the Red Cross involved in rescue efforts. It was initially reported that 30 people had died, but the number later rose to more than 100. Rescuers spent several hours manually removing soil and debris to retrieve the bodies.
It is feared that many people are still trapped inside the mine. Locals and rescuers are working together to clear the wreckage. Access to the mine is extremely difficult. As a result, it has become a big challenge for the rescue team to rescue the trapped people quickly. With the passage of time, the hope of finding them alive is diminishing.
When the mine collapsed, there was a lack of necessary rescue machinery at the site. Therefore, rescuers and locals are removing the soil and debris manually. Their primary job is to search for those trapped inside and retrieve the bodies.
Initially, about 30 bodies were exhumed. As the rescue operation progressed, the death toll reached more than 100. Officials feared many people might be trapped under the rubble.
It was a small gold mine. Where the local people search for gold. For many in the Central African Republic, such small-scale mining is a source of income. These mines often lack the safeguards found in large companies. In many places, workers dig using simple tools. Without proper safety measures to keep tunnels safe, mud and boulders can collapse suddenly.
