Tragedy struck late Saturday night into the early hours of Sunday when a galamsey (illegal small-scale mining) pit collapsed at Atta ne Atta, killing nine young men and leaving four others in critical condition.
The victims, all believed to be in their 20s and early 30s, had reportedly rushed to the newly excavated site after rumours spread of significant gold deposits. They were working inside the pit when the walls suddenly gave way, burying them under tonnes of earth and rock.
Four survivors were pulled out alive but severely injured and rushed to St. Elizabeth Hospital in Hwidiem, where they are currently receiving emergency treatment. Their condition remains critical, according to hospital sources.
Adom News reporter Sammy Asare, speaking on Adom FM’s Dwaso Nsem, explained that local miners believe the collapse occurred because the pit was not properly reinforced with wooden pegs or timber supports — a basic safety measure widely used to stabilise excavation walls.
“The victims may have failed to shore up the sides properly,” one experienced small-scale miner told the reporter. “Once the soil became loose, especially after recent rains, there was nothing holding it back.”
Following the collapse, initial fears circulated that more people might still be trapped. The Assemblyman for the area and local authorities quickly mobilised community members, who spent hours digging through the debris by hand and with basic tools. After an exhaustive search, no additional victims were found.
The bodies of the nine deceased miners have been deposited at the St. Elizabeth Hospital Mortuary pending autopsy and identification by families.
The Asutifi South District Assembly and local authorities have since covered the site to prevent further accidents and possible illegal re-entry.
This latest incident adds to the growing death toll from galamsey-related accidents across Ghana, where unregulated mining continues to claim lives through pit collapses, drowning, toxic exposure, and landslides. Authorities have repeatedly warned of the extreme dangers involved in illegal mining, yet the practice persists due to poverty, unemployment, and the persistent allure of quick gold finds.
Police and the Minerals Commission have launched investigations into the collapse, including whether the site was registered or monitored, and whether any safety protocols were followed. No arrests have been announced at this stage.
The community of Atta ne Atta remains in mourning, with many young families now facing the devastating loss of breadwinners. Local leaders have called for urgent government action to curb illegal mining while providing alternative livelihoods for youth in mining-prone districts.
