An unspecified number of illegal miners (galamseyers) have reportedly been trapped in a ‘galamsey’ pit which caved in on Thursday morning at Akrokeri near Obuasi in the Adansi North District of the Ashanti region.
According to the police, rescue efforts are underway to save the people who were allegedly digging for gold despite a ban on illegal mining.
Speaking in an interview with Accra-based Citi FM, monitored by Adomonline.com, the Obuasi Divisional Police Commander, DSP Martin Asenso said an excavator is being used to dig up the cave to find the victims.
“Around 5:am on Thursday, the local police had information that some illegal miners have been trapped in a ‘galamsey’ pit at Akrokeri. We came to the scene which is supposed to be a public toilet within the township that had caved in.
“We are not able to determine the number of people underground. We have an excavator digging since morning and we have not seen any dead body nor anyone alive coming out
“We are still investigating but as at now, no one from the town has come to report of a missing relative so until we’ve dug deep enough we can’t confirm that there is someone trapped underground,” he said.
Source: Adomonline.com | Gertrude Otchere