Fifty Killed in Gold Mine Collapse (VIDEO)

A devastating gold mine collapse has claimed the lives of fifty individuals. Watch the video for the latest updates on the tragic event.

According to a local official who requested anonymity while speaking to Xinhua, at least 50 people were killed when an illegally operated gold mine collapsed in western Mali on Saturday.

The catastrophe took place near Kenieba in the Kayes region, an area renowned for its gold deposits and both industrial as well as artisanal mining operations.

According to Taoule Camara, the secretary general of UCROM (the National Union of Gold Counters and Refineries), the victims had allegedly entered abandoned open-pit mining sites that were once utilized by industrial companies. They were trying to extract residual gold when suddenly the unstable ground collapsed, he informed Reuters.

He confirmed that the collapse happened between Kenieba and Dabia but did not provide further details. According to Reuters, ministry officials are currently evaluating the site and preparing a report.

Conflicting reports about the number of casualties have surfaced. A local police official informed AFP that by Saturday evening, the death toll had reached 48. In contrast, an industry union leader told Reuters that 43 fatalities were confirmed. Later, Xinhua reported a local official’s statement indicating that the tragedy claimed 49 women and one man.

The Chinese news agency reported that the collapse occurred when a Caterpillar machine fell onto an artisanal mine where people were searching for gold. A police source informed AFP that several victims ended up in water-filled pits, including a woman carrying a baby on her back. Local sources confirmed to the BBC that rescue workers have since recovered the bodies.

This incident comes after a comparable tragedy in January, where a landslide at a gold mine in southern Mali resulted in the deaths of at least ten people, with several others remaining missing.

Mali, a leading gold producer globally, often encounters mining-related accidents because of prevalent unregulated activities. In their quest for gold, miners frequently employ dangerous techniques.

According to AFP, the location of the accident was previously managed by a Chinese company before it was abandoned.

According to Mali’s Ministry of Mines, the country’s industrial gold production experienced a significant decrease of 23% last year, falling from 66.5 metric tons in 2023 to just 51 metric tons.