Nine young men have died following a galamsey pit collapse at Atta ne Atta in the Asutifi South District of the Ahafo Region.
Four others are reported to be in critical condition and are receiving treatment at the St. Elizabeth Hospital in Hwidiem.
The tragic incident occurred late Saturday night into the early hours of Sunday at a site believed to be newly excavated.
Adom News’ Sammy Asare, reporting on Adom FM’s Dwaso Nsem, said the victims had moved to the area after hearing that significant gold deposits had been discovered.
The exact cause of the collapse remains unclear.
However, experienced small-scale miners in the area suggested that the victims may have failed to reinforce the pit walls with wooden pegs—a common safety measure used to prevent cave-ins during excavation.
Their absence could have left the sides unstable.
Following initial fears that more miners were trapped beneath the debris, the Assemblyman and local authorities mobilised residents to dig through the collapsed earth.
After hours of searching, no additional victims were found. The site has since been covered to prevent further danger.
The bodies of the deceased have been deposited at the St. Elizabeth Hospital Mortuary.
