Several miners, believed to be illegal miners (galamsey operators), are feared dead after unidentified smoke filled sections of the underground workings of the Bogoso-Prestea Mine on Tuesday.
Sources told the Kumasi Mail that the victims suffocated after carbon-heavy fumes—suspected to have emanated from a blast—spread through levels 8 and 9 of the underground mine, which is currently managed by Heath Goldfields.
The exact number of casualties remains unclear. Some sources estimate as many as 30 fatalities, while others put the figure at around 11. These estimates refer to bodies reportedly recovered earlier in the day.
As of 7 p.m. Tuesday, three additional bodies had been retrieved from level 9 and brought to the surface, separate from those removed earlier. Rescue efforts are ongoing, but no official statement has been issued by either the mining company or local authorities.
Kumasi Mail understands that the incident has been reported to the Prestea Police, who have begun investigations into the matter.
The Bogoso-Prestea Mine has recently been taken over by Heath Goldfields, a transition currently being contested in court by Blue Gold, the existing leaseholders.
Further updates will follow as more information becomes available.
Source: www.kumasimail.com
