Gold Mine Collapses in Central African Republic – At Least 100 Dead

A devastating landslide at an illegal gold mine in the Central African Republic has claimed the lives of at least 100 people, according to reports from AFP. The incident occurred Tuesday afternoon at the Zamboye mining area, located near the border with Cameroon.

Rescue efforts are still underway as authorities and local residents work to recover victims from the collapsed mine. As of Wednesday, 30 bodies had been retrieved from the debris, stated Soulemayne Bi, the deputy mayor of the Nana-Mambere prefecture, as reported by Al Jazeera.

This tragedy highlights the persistent dangers of unregulated mining in the Central African Republic. Thousands of individuals engage in small-scale gold mining outside of state control, often without adequate safety measures. Such conditions make mining operations extremely hazardous, with accidents frequently resulting in fatalities.

This is not an isolated event. In June, dozens of people perished in a similar landslide at the Be-Mbari mine, also situated near the Cameroonian border. These recurring disasters underscore the urgent need for improved safety regulations and oversight in the country's mining sector.

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Rescue workers and local residents have so far recovered 30 bodies from the collapsed mine.