Four perish in galamsey accident
Four illegal gold miners were trapped to death when a mining pit collapsed on them at Prestea Ankobra in the Prestea/ Huni-Valley District in the Western Region on Tuesday night.
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According to the police, the incident occurred when eight young men went into the pit to dig for gold.
Two of the deceased have been identified as Paa Boadu, 36, from Abura Dunkwa in the Central Region, and Doman Ballana, 37, from Sankana, near Wa in the Upper West Region.
The other two were named only as Sulley and Nkoalla.
The bodies of the deceased were retrieved from the pit on Wednesday.
Survivors
One of the miners who got injured has been identified as Ayoni Olani. He has been transferred to the Effia-Nkwanta Regional Referral Hospital for further treatment.
The second survivor, whose name was given as Emmanuel Yeboah, is responding to treatment at the Prestea Government Hospital.
According to the police, the bodies of the deceased had since been deposited at the Prestea Government Hospital.
The Prestea District Crime Officer, Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) Mr Emmanuel Nwinsori, said the police had for some time now stepped up efforts at the prevention of illegal mining activities that were degrading the environment and polluting water bodies.
He said the pit that collapsed had been abandoned and so it was surprising that the victims had gone there to prospect for gold.