Two illegal miners trapped to death after pit collapse

Two illegal miners have lost their lives after being trapped in a mining pit at Akyea Kukubi, a community in the Kwaebibirem Municipality of the Eastern Region.

The two deceased persons have been identified as 28-year-old Solomon Kumi, a native of Akyem Bomso, and 32-year-old James Mummuni Naaba, a resident of Akyem Asuom.

The tragic incident occurred in the early hours of Thursday, December 19, 2024.

Local residents raised the alarm after discovering the collapsed pit and alerted authorities, who retrieved the bodies.

The corpses have been deposited at the Kade Government Morgue for autopsy.

Police and municipal authorities, including National Disaster Management Organization officials, are investigating the circumstances leading to the accident.

Meanwhile, illegal mining activities have worsened in recent times, particularly after the December 7 elections. Major river bodies in the region, particularly the Birim River, have been polluted by illegal miners.