Tragic Artisanal Gold Mine Collapse Kills Dozens Near Central African Republic and Cameroon Border

At least 30 people have lost their lives following the collapse of an artisanal gold mine in the western region of the Central African Republic, near the border with Cameroon, according to local officials.

Reports from Cameroonian media indicate that the disaster occurred on Tuesday in the village of Zamboye, situated just a few kilometres away from Garoua-Boulai, a town located in eastern Cameroon.

Souleymane Bi, the deputy mayor of Nana-Mambere prefecture in the Central African Republic, stated on Wednesday that local residents and rescue teams managed to recover 30 bodies from the debris after hours of searching. He added that injured miners are currently receiving medical care.

“It is horrible and we are calling for help from organisations and all people of goodwill to help,” Bi expressed.

Meanwhile, a local civil servant informed the AFP news agency that approximately 40 individuals may have perished at the location.

“At this stage it’s difficult for us to establish a formal toll,” stated Laurent Ngon Baba, a local official from Baboua, during an interview with AFP.

Cedric Mbango, a miner who was present at the site, characterized the event as “catastrophic.”

“The ground completely collapsed and buried people. As I speak to you, other people are still buried. Rescue attempts are under way,” Mbango told AFP.

In response to the tragedy, government spokesman Evariste Ngamana shared his condolences with the families of the victims and noted that authorities are “working hard to provide relief and assistance” to everyone affected.

Accidents and collapses at artisanal mines happen frequently in the Central African Republic, where thousands of individuals engage in small-scale extraction activities operating outside of government regulation. The labor remains highly dangerous due to a general lack of protective gear for miners, making such incidents frequently fatal.

Previously in June, another collapse resulted in dozens of fatalities at the Be-Mbari gold mining site, which is also situated along the Cameroon border. Furthermore, a landslide in mid-March caused seven deaths at a mining location in the village of Ngourroum, located in the western part of the Central African Republic, while an additional 20 lives were lost in February in Gordi, situated in the northeast.