Eleven illegal miners, popularly referred to as galamseyers, are feared dead after being trapped in an abandoned underground mine in the Bogoso-Prestea enclave in the Western Region.
Information from the area remains unclear. Some residents say a section of the mine caved in, burying the miners. Others report that the group may have suffocated after thick smoke, suspected to have come from a blast, filled the underground tunnel.
The abandoned mine is linked to Heath Goldfields, but the company has not yet commented on the incident.
Citi News‘ Akwasi Agyei Annim confirmed that four bodies have so far been retrieved and sent to the Prestea Government Hospital. He noted that the affected mine is one of the concessions currently not in operation.
According to him, the site was previously operated by FGR until its licence was revoked in February last year. A new operator was assigned in the last quarter of 2024. Sources close to the new operator say illegal miners had entered the abandoned underground tunnels and were mining when the blast occurred.
The reporter added that although initial reports suggested 11 deaths, only four bodies have been recovered so far. The total number of casualties remains unknown.
The incident is reported to have taken place over the weekend.