Police arrest 16 suspects and seize 209 cartridges at Gbane mining site

Kwaku Charles and Nana Dibi die in Sefwi Datano pit collapse

Two men have been confirmed dead following the collapse of an illegal small-scale mining pit, popularly known as galamsey, at Sefwi Datano in the Bodi District of the Western North Region. The deceased, identified as Kwaku Charles and Nana Dibi, both in their early thirties, were reportedly excavating for gold when the earth structure gave way, trapping them beneath the soil. The incident occurred while they were working alongside a third individual who currently remains unaccounted for. The recovery operation, which drew immediate assistance from community members and local youth, took a tragic turn during the rescue attempt. Reports indicate that an excavator used to clear the debris and reach the trapped men accidentally severed the head of one of the victims before the bodies could be fully retrieved from the pit. Joseph Debrah, a member of the Datano Unit Committee, confirmed that he received a distress call and immediately mobilized residents and the local police to the scene to assist in the rescue and recovery efforts. The bodies of Kwaku Charles and Nana Dibi have been transported to the Juaboso Government Hospital mortuary for preservation and autopsy. Local authorities and the police have launched an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the collapse and the legality of the mining activities at the site. This latest tragedy highlights the persistent dangers and lack of safety protocols associated with unregulated mining in the Western North Region, as search efforts continue for the third missing person.