A devastating collapse at an illegal mining site, commonly known as a ‘galamsey’ pit, has claimed the lives of at least four individuals in the Kasotie area of the Atwima Mponua district of Ashanti Region.
The incident, which occurred Wednesday night, October 1 2025, prompted a frantic rescue effort that successfully extracted eight other miners alive.
The National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO), in collaboration with other emergency services and local volunteers, led the rescue operation. After hours of painstaking work, the teams were able to retrieve the bodies of the five deceased miners from the rubble.
Confirming the tragic news to 3news.com, the District Chief Executive (DCE) for Atwima Mponua, Ibrahim Ishak, stated that the incident underscores the grave dangers associated with illegal mining activities.
“The preliminary information we have is that this was an illegal mining operation. Our rescue teams, including NADMO, worked tirelessly. While we are grateful that eight individuals were brought out safely, it is a profound tragedy that five lives have been lost,” the DCE said.
The eight survivors were immediately transported to Nyinahini government hospital for treatment. Their current conditions are yet to be officially disclosed, but they are reported to have escaped with non-life-threatening injuries.
The collapse has sent shockwaves through the local community, highlighting the persistent issue of illegal small-scale mining, which continues to pose significant risks to human life and the environment across Ghana.
Rescue team are still on site to ensure no one is left trapped as investigations into the exact cause of the collapse begin.
