Rescue efforts for "galamsay" victims in progress

Noyem (E/R), Aug. 16, GNA - Rescue works has been mounted jointly by AngloGlod Ashanti and Newmont Ghana Limited at an illegal mining spot between Noyam and Nyanfoman in the Birim North District of the Eastern Region to search and retrieve bodies of illegal mining operators, "galamsey", alleged to have been trapped in a pit last Wednesday.

Mr John Baidoo, the Mines Rescue Superintendent of AngloGold Ashanti and leader of the team, told newsmen on Monday that no dead bodies had been found, since they started the operation last Sunday. He said their operation was being hampered when the pit caved in after digging for fifty feet, saying, it would take them about two more days to dig a depth of 80 feet before they could get to where the suspected victims had been trapped to ascertain the number of casualties.

When the Nkawkaw District Police Commander, Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP), Christopher Klomegah, was contacted, he said following information received on Thursday that some galamsey operators had been trapped in a pit near Noyem, they mobilized personnel to the area known to be within the Newmont Ghana Limited concession. He said they were informed that eight people, including their leader, Mohammed Ali, 21, went into the pit that day when it caved in, but four of them including Ali, Samuel Yawson, 29, Emmanuel Mensah, 25, and Stephen Kobena, 20, were able to come out from the pit and were rushed to Nkawkaw Holy Family Hospital for treatment.

The District Commander said the Chief of Noyam, Nana Abayie and other galamsey operators organized a team, who rescued two others identified as Dominic Anane, 25, and Kwesi Amponsah, who were also sent to the Holy Family Hospital for treatment.

He said Ali and Yawson, who hailed from Tarkwa in the Western Region, were later referred to the Tarkwa Government Hospital for further treatment.

Meanwhile, a large number of people from various parts of the country have besieged the area in search of their relatives, some of whom had been found alive. Aug. 16, 05