At least 48 individuals have perished when an unregulated gold mine caved in western Mali on Saturday, as reported by authorities and local sources referenced by AFP.
Mali, being a leading gold producer in Africa, often experiences deadly accidents and landslides at mining locations. The government has faced challenges in regulating informal mining activities in the nation, which continues to be one of the poorest countries globally.
“The toll at 1800 today is 48 dead following the collapse,” a police source reported.
“Some of the victims fell into the water. Among them was a woman with her baby on her back. ”
A local official verified the event, while the Kenieba Gold Miners‘ association also indicated 48 fatalities. Search operations for additional victims were still ongoing, an environmental organization leader disclosed to AFP.
The incident took place at a previously abandoned location that was once operated by a Chinese company, sources indicated.
In January, another landslide at a gold mine in southern Mali resulted in the deaths of at least 10 individuals and left several others unaccounted for, mostly women.
Just over a year ago, a tunnel collapse in the same area as Saturday’s incident resulted in more than 70 fatalities.
