The death toll from a tragic mine collapse in the western part of the Central African Republic has surpassed 100. A gold mine collapsed suddenly on Tuesday morning, trapping a large number of workers and local residents beneath the debris. A Red Cross volunteer and a local official involved in relief and rescue operations confirmed the fatalities on Wednesday. The incident occurred in Jamboye village, located in the Nana-Mambere region near the Cameroon border. Reports indicate that gold extraction at the site was carried out using traditional, low-tech methods. Such areas often face a persistent risk of accidents due to limited safety measures. According to local officials, a large number of people were present at the site when the mine collapsed. Chaos ensued immediately following the sudden accident. Nearby residents quickly initiated relief efforts, attempting to extricate those buried under the rubble. Subsequently, teams from the Red Cross and the local administration joined the rescue operation. The primary challenge for rescue teams was reaching those trapped inside the mine; heavy debris and unsafe conditions made the rescue work extremely difficult. Locals also worked to clear the debris using shovels and other tools. Officials stated that the death toll could rise further, as there are fears that more people remain buried under the rubble. Relief teams are working continuously at the site, searching for the missing. A significant number of workers are employed in small-scale gold mining operations across the Central African Republic. In many locations, mining is conducted without modern equipment or adequate safety precautions, creating a constant risk of accidents. Experts note that workers engaged in illegal and unorganized mining activities often lack safety training and essential resources. Workers frequently descend into deep mines without any safety gear, significantly increasing the likelihood of accidents.
