At least 60 people were killed in a gold mine collapse in Sudan’s West Kordofan state on Sunday, three local sources told Reuters, while a local rights group said some miners could still be alive underground and appealed for urgent rescue efforts.
According to two survivors, the death toll has reached at least 60 people. The information was reported by the AFP news agency. The fate of many miners is still unknown, and there are serious fears that they remain under the rubble with no chance of getting out on their own.
It all began on Tuesday, September 15, at the Al-Zaraa mine, not far from the city of El-Nahud in West Kordofan. The rock suddenly gave way, burying the passageways one after another. By the morning of the next day, rescuers had managed to bring 60 bodies to the surface. The work did not stop all night; people dug with their bare hands, risking being caught in a new collapse.
One of the survivors, Khair al-Sayed Jabara, admitted to journalists that no one can say exactly how many more people remained below. He himself took part in the nighttime operation together with other miners, pulling his comrades out of the dusty stone trap. According to him, panic reigned at the site, screams and moans could be heard, and the smell of dust and damp rock hung over the mine.
The tragedy has sparked outrage and calls for improved safety measures in the mining sector, which has long been plagued by inadequate regulations and oversight. Local authorities are under pressure to investigate the incident thoroughly and ensure that such disasters do not happen again.
As rescue efforts continue, families of the missing miners are anxiously waiting for news, holding onto hope that their loved ones may still be alive. The community has come together, providing support and assistance to those affected by this devastating event.
This incident highlights the urgent need for reform in mining practices to protect workers and prevent future tragedies. The international community is also urged to pay attention to the plight of miners in Sudan and advocate for their rights and safety.
