Three killed in mining pit collapse at Odumase-Santenso

Three individuals have died after a mining pit collapsed on them at Odumase-Santenso in the Asante Akyem Central Municipality of the Ashanti Region.

The incident occurred at about 4:00 p.m. on Friday, August 7, 2026, according to the Caretaker Assembly Member for the area and Assembly Member for the Bomeriso Electoral Area, Isaac Kyei Andoh.

Mr Andoh said community members alerted him shortly after the pit caved in, prompting an immediate rescue effort to retrieve those trapped underground.

The victims, comprising two women and a man, were aged between 21 and 25 years. Two of the deceased women were reportedly residents of Bomeriso.

Mr Andoh said he immediately informed the Municipal Chief Executive, after which arrangements were made to deploy a backhoe to assist with the rescue operation. However, the equipment was found to be faulty.

A private backhoe was subsequently secured, but by the time it arrived at the scene, residents had already dug through the collapsed pit and retrieved the bodies.

The bodies were recovered between 6:30 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. Traditional rites were performed at the scene before the remains were conveyed to the mortuary.

Mr Andoh said the victims were engaged in what is locally known as “one-man” mining, an illegal small-scale mining practice in which individuals dig deep pits using makeshift equipment to extract gold.

“I got a call around 4 pm two days ago about the pit collapse. We mobilised a vehicle to release the bodies from the pit. The chiefs performed some rites before the three bodies were sent to the mortuary. The deceased include two women and a man, aged between 21 and 25 years. The pit caved in and killed them,” he said.

The incident has renewed concerns about the dangers associated with unregulated mining activities and the growing loss of young lives through hazardous mining operations in the municipality.