Two young men have tragically lost their lives following the collapse of a mining pit at Osino, located in the Fanteakwa South District of the Eastern Region. The incident occurred in the early hours of Wednesday, January 8, 2025, around 2 a.m., when the pit structure caved in, trapping seven miners inside.
According to sources from Channel One News, local residents rushed to the scene upon hearing of the disaster and launched a rescue operation. Three individuals were successfully pulled from the collapsed pit and were promptly transported to Saviour Memorial Hospital in Osiem. Despite efforts by health professionals, two miners were confirmed dead upon arrival at the hospital. One survivor remains in critical condition and is receiving treatment at the facility.
A coordinated search party, which included the National Intelligence Bureau, other security agencies, and excavator operators, worked tirelessly to locate additional victims. Unfortunately, their efforts were unsuccessful, and no further survivors or victims were found at the scene.
The remains of the deceased miners have been sent to the Kyebi Government Hospital in the Abuakwa South Municipality for autopsy and preservation.
This tragic incident has sparked renewed concerns from local opinion leaders about the ongoing illegal mining activities in the area, particularly along the Accra-Kumasi Highway. They have raised alarms over the dangerous practice of miners working in hazardous conditions, including near roads and beneath electricity pylons.
In response to this incident, calls have been made for stricter enforcement of mining regulations and increased efforts to curb illegal mining activities. Local police have been criticized for their failure to effectively tackle these dangerous operations, further intensifying concerns about the safety of the community.