**Dozens Killed After Gold Mine Collapse in Central African Republic**
At least 30 individuals have lost their lives following the collapse of an artisanal gold mine in the Central African Republic (CAR), near the border with Cameroon. The tragic incident occurred on Tuesday in the village of Zamboye, located just a few kilometers from the town of Garoua-Boulai in eastern Cameroon.
Souleymane Bi, the deputy mayor of the Nana-Mambere prefecture, confirmed the death toll, stating that rescuers and local residents worked for several hours to recover the bodies from the rubble. In addition to the fatalities, several miners were reported to be injured and are currently receiving medical treatment.
“It is horrible and we are calling for help from organizations and all people of goodwill to help,” Bi expressed in a statement on Wednesday. Meanwhile, local officials have indicated that the number of casualties may be higher, with one civil servant suggesting that approximately 40 people may have died in the collapse. Laurent Ngon Baba, a local official from Baboua, noted the challenges in determining an exact death toll at this stage.
Eyewitness accounts have painted a grim picture of the disaster. Cedric Mbango, a miner who was present at the site during the collapse, described it as “catastrophic.” He recounted how the ground suddenly gave way, burying numerous individuals beneath the debris. “As I speak to you, other people are still buried. Rescue attempts are under way,” he added.
In response to the incident, government spokesman Evariste Ngamana expressed condolences to the families of the victims and assured that authorities are “working hard to provide relief and assistance” to those affected by the disaster.
Artisanal mining operations are prevalent in the Central African Republic, where thousands of individuals engage in small-scale extraction activities, often in areas outside of government control. These operations are notoriously hazardous, with miners frequently lacking adequate safety measures and equipment. The risk of accidents is high, and such collapses have been a recurring issue in the region.
This recent tragedy follows a similar incident in June, when a mine collapse at the Be-Mbari gold mining site, also near the Cameroon border, resulted in the deaths of dozens of miners. Earlier this year, a landslide in mid-March claimed the lives of seven individuals at a mine in Ngourroum, located in western CAR. Additionally, in February, another collapse in Gordi, in the northeast, resulted in 20 fatalities.
As the search and rescue efforts continue, the community and local authorities are grappling with the aftermath of this devastating event, highlighting the urgent need for improved safety measures and oversight in the artisanal mining sector.