Nigerian dies in mining pit collapse at Ntotroso

A 25-year-old Nigerian, identified only as Christian has been confirmed dead, with others believed to have sustained injuries after a mining pit collapsed on them.

The incident happened at Ntotroso, a farming community in the Asutifi North District of the Brong-Ahafo Region.

The incident happened last Sunday at about 0300 am when the deceased and his colleague illegal miners were in the pit digging for gold when it caved in and trapped them.

Even though Christian’s colleagues managed to come out of the pit, he was unable to do so.

His colleagues, however, managed to pull him out of the pit but when they realised that he was dead, they left the body and run away.

The body has since been deposited at the St. Elizabeth Catholic Hospital at Hwidiem in the Asutifi South District for autopsy.

Illegal mining at Ntotroso

The Kenyasi District Police Commander, DSP Teddy Damptey Brown who confirmed the incident to Graphic Online said the police received an SOS call that a pit had collapsed on illegal miners at Ntrotroso.

He said the command quickly dispatched a team of police officers to the site to help with rescue efforts but the illegal miners who managed to escape took to their heels when they got wind of their intention.

DSP Brown said the illegal miners have now resorted to mining in the night after 15 galamseyers were arrested in August this year and are currently facing prosecution at the Sunyani Circuit Court “A”.