At least 82 people have been killed after a gold mine collapsed in Sudan’s western West Kordofan state, according to local sources.
The accident occurred on Tuesday at the Al-Jara gold mine near the town of Al-Nuhud, where several interconnected mine tunnels collapsed, according to a report by Al Jazeera citing AFP.
Most of those killed were reportedly artisanal miners. Several others are believed to remain trapped beneath the rubble, while no specialised rescue team has yet reached the site.
A source linked to the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF), which controls the area, said at least 82 people had died and another 50 were injured in the collapse. The exact number of people still trapped underground remains unknown.
Local residents have been using basic tools to clear the sandy debris and search for survivors. Khair Al-Sayed Jabara, a miner who survived the collapse, said he and his colleagues worked through the night using their own equipment to try to rescue those trapped, but heavier machinery was urgently needed.
Local sources said the lack of adequate safety measures and rescue equipment contributed to the high number of casualties.
The Sudan Doctors Network said rescue efforts were continuing and warned that the death toll could increase. The organisation also said the mine lacked basic safety measures for workers.
Sudan is one of Africa’s leading gold-producing countries, but much of its gold is extracted from old or unauthorised mines using hazardous methods, putting artisanal miners at significant risk.
COMMENTS