Over 100 dead after goldmine collapses in Central African Republic landslide

A catastrophic landslide at an artisanal gold mine in western Central African Republic (CAR) has claimed the lives of over 100 people. The incident occurred Tuesday afternoon in Zamboye village, approximately 50 kilometers from Baboua and near the Cameroonian border.

Local officials and aid workers confirmed the grim toll on Wednesday. Footage circulating on social media appears to show a massive surge of sand engulfing a group of miners. A statement from a local public prosecutor indicated that many individuals remain trapped beneath the debris, though the exact number of fatalities was not immediately specified.

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The ground completely collapsed and buried people.

Gervais Ganagoroh, a Red Cross volunteer involved in the relief operations, informed the Associated Press that more than 100 bodies had been recovered. A senior official from a local mining association corroborated this figure in a statement to Reuters. Local media in CAR has reported that authorities have initiated an investigation into the cause of the collapse.

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finding them alive would be a miracle.

Miners at the site described the event as "catastrophic," with the ground completely collapsing and burying people. Rescuers are in a race against time to recover bodies and search for any potential survivors, who are believed to be nationals of CAR and Cameroon. The governor of Cameroon's Eastern region confirmed that at least three Cameroonian citizens were among the victims and is collaborating with CAR authorities to manage the aftermath.

Local youth council member Bertrand Be Yangué expressed the community's sorrow, stating, "We are saddened and heartbroken to see young men and women perish after coming to the mines to save their families from despair." He added that the death toll is expected to climb as rescue operations continue. Reports suggest heavy machinery is being used in the retrieval efforts, which could potentially endanger any survivors still trapped.

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We are saddened and heartbroken to see young men and women perish after coming to the mines to save their families from despair.