Fanteakwa: Two dead in mining pit collapse
Fanteakwa, Eastern Region, Ghana - 10 Jan, 2025 - Two young men have been confirmed dead following the collapse of a mining pit at Osino in the Fanteakwa South District of the Eastern Region.
According to Channel One News sources, the victims were among a group of seven miners working in the pit around 2 a.m. on Wednesday, January 8, 2025, when the structure caved in, trapping them inside.
Upon hearing of the incident, local residents rushed to the scene to assist with rescue efforts. Three individuals were pulled from the pit and transported to the Saviour Memorial Hospital in Osiem.
Health professionals at the hospital later confirmed the deaths of two of the miners. One survivor remains in critical condition and is receiving treatment at the same facility.
A search party, involving the National Intelligence Bureau, other security agencies, and excavator operators, worked to locate additional victims. Despite extensive efforts, the search did not yield any positive results.
The remains of the deceased have been sent to the Kyebi Government Hospital in the Abuakwa South Municipality for autopsy and preservation.
Meanwhile, opinion leaders in Osino have raised concerns about the persistent illegal mining activities in the area, particularly along the Accra-Kumasi Highway.
They highlighted the alarming practice of miners operating day and night, even in hazardous locations such as roads and beneath pylons belonging to the Electricity Company of Ghana.
The local police have been accused of failing to curb these illegal activities, prompting renewed calls for stricter enforcement to prevent further tragedies.
Source: Citi Newsroom
