Over 100 people are suspected to have died after a landslide at an artisanal gold mine in the west of the Central African Republic (CAR), near the border with Cameroon.
The incident took place in the Zamboyes area, about 50 kilometers from the city of Babouas. Local authorities have warned that the death toll could be much higher.
Search and rescue operations continue, with teams and residents trying to pull bodies from the rubble. According to reports, some people remain trapped under the earth and mud, while the chances of finding survivors are decreasing as the hours pass.
The Baboua public prosecutor's office said the collapse was caused by the collapse of several underground tunnels where miners were working. An investigation has been launched into the incident. CAR government spokesman Evariste Ngamana expressed condolences to the families of the victims and said authorities were working to provide assistance and support.
Artisanal mines in the gold-rich areas of the Central African Republic often operate illegally and without respecting basic safety standards.
Thousands of people work in these areas every day with improvised means, exposing themselves to collapses and serious accidents. Accidents in the mines of this area are frequent and often fatal.
