Four illegal miners have been confirmed dead after a galamsey pit collapsed at Skuumu, near Gyaman-Nkwanta, in the Amansie Central District of the Ashanti Region.
The incident occurred around 4:00 p.m. on Wednesday, plunging the community into mourning.
According to reports, the abandoned and depleted mining site had recently been handed over to Logist Group Company Limited by the government for reclamation works.
However, the victims are believed to have sneaked onto the site to conduct illegal mining activities when the pit caved in, trapping them underground.
Security agencies, including the Ghana Police Service, were deployed to the area as rescue efforts commenced immediately. An excavator was used later Wednesday evening to retrieve the bodies of the deceased.
The leader of the group has been identified as Solomon Amadevor. The names of the other three victims are yet to be officially released as investigations continue.
Residents have described the incident as heartbreaking, renewing concerns over the persistent dangers of illegal mining operations in the country.
