Fanteakwa: Mining pit collapse kills two

Two young men have been confirmed dead after a mining pit collapsed at Osino in the Fanteakwa South District of the Eastern Region.

The incident occurred around 2 a.m. on Wednesday, January 8, 2025, while seven miners were working in the pit. According to Channel One News sources, the structure caved in unexpectedly, trapping the workers inside.

Local residents rushed to the site to aid in the rescue efforts. Three miners were pulled from the debris and transported to the Saviour Memorial Hospital in Osiem. Tragically, two of the miners were pronounced dead by health professionals, while one survivor remains in critical condition and is receiving treatment.

A search operation involving the National Intelligence Bureau, other security agencies, and excavator operators was launched to locate additional victims. However, the extensive efforts did not uncover any more survivors or bodies.

The deceased miners' remains have been sent to the Kyebi Government Hospital in the Abuakwa South Municipality for autopsy and preservation.

In the aftermath, opinion leaders in Osino have voiced concerns about the ongoing illegal mining activities in the area, particularly along the Accra-Kumasi Highway. They condemned the dangerous practices of miners operating around the clock, often in hazardous locations such as beneath pylons and near roadways.

Local authorities and the police have faced criticism for their inability to curb these illegal activities, prompting renewed calls for stricter enforcement to prevent similar tragedies in the future.