**Over 100 Killed as Gold Mine Collapses in Central African Republic**
More than 100 individuals have lost their lives following the collapse of a gold mine in the Central African Republic (CAR) near the border with Cameroon. The tragic incident occurred on Tuesday at a mining site located in Zamboye, within the Nana-Mambere prefecture, a region known for its mineral wealth.
Rescue operations have been ongoing since the disaster, with local officials and volunteers reporting that over 100 bodies have been recovered from the site. Gervais Ganagoroh, a local Red Cross volunteer involved in the rescue efforts, confirmed the grim toll to the Associated Press. Other sources, including the Agence France-Presse (AFP), have also indicated that the death count stands at least at 100, although the final official figure has yet to be determined.
The collapse reportedly involved several underground galleries caving in while miners were working below ground. Initial reports from local authorities indicated that 30 bodies had been recovered, but as search operations progressed, the number of fatalities rose significantly. Cameroonian journalist Jean Charles Biyo’o Ella provided a preliminary toll of 107 after discussions with the mayor of the nearby border town of Garoua-Boulai.
The disaster has sparked confusion regarding its exact location, with initial reports suggesting it might have occurred on the Cameroonian side of the border. However, the Cameroonian Ministry of Mines later clarified that the collapse took place on the CAR side of Zamboye. The settlement is situated along the border, divided by the Kadey River, which separates the Central African and Cameroonian sections.
Authorities in Cameroon have confirmed that at least four of their nationals were among the deceased, highlighting the cross-border impact of the tragedy.
This incident is part of a troubling pattern of mining accidents in the Central African Republic, a nation rich in natural resources, particularly gold and diamonds. Earlier this year, a similar disaster claimed the lives of 23 miners when a shaft collapsed in the same Nana-Mambere prefecture. Additionally, a landslide in June at the Konyeme site resulted in the deaths of at least eight artisanal miners.
Mining accidents, particularly at artisanal sites, are unfortunately common across Africa. These operations often involve hand-dug tunnels with minimal safety measures, making them particularly hazardous. In January, a landslide at the Rubaya coltan mine in the Democratic Republic of the Congo resulted in over 200 fatalities, underscoring the dangers faced by miners in the region.
As search and recovery efforts continue in Zamboye, the focus remains on providing support to the victims' families and addressing the safety concerns that plague artisanal mining operations in the region. The Central African Republic, while rich in resources, faces significant challenges in ensuring the safety and well-being of its miners.