One killed and two others injured in mine pit collapse

Ataaso (Ash), July 16, GNA - Barely three weeks after scores of illegal gold miners had been trapped to death underground near Dunkwa-On-Offin, another mine disaster had struck.

This time, one person was killed and two others badly wounded, when the pit in which they were digging for the ore in the Ataaso Forest Reserve in the Atwima-Mponua district, collapsed on them.

The deceased was identified only as Kwaku alias "G-12."

The injured, Issa Mohammed, 27, and Wisdom Tsole, 24, are receiving treatment at the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital (KATH) for cuts and broken bones.

About 10 miners were said to be in the pit at the time of the accident, but the seven others managed to escape.

Police Chief Inspector Mohammed Tanko of the Public Affairs Unit of the Ashanti Regional Police Administration, who confirmed the incident to the Ghana News Agency (GNA) in Kumasi, said it happened on Thursday at about 1400 hours.

He said the police have not yet been able to reach the mine site as the Offin-River had over flown its banks making it difficult to cross from one side to the other.

Chief Inspector Tanko said they were working closely with the National Disaster Management Organization (NADMO) to gain access to the pit to ascertain what really happened.