Sudan Gold Mine Collapse Kills at Least 82, Dozens Still Missing

By Angel No Lie | KPD Online | September 17, 2026

At least 82 people have died following the collapse of an informal gold mine in Sudan’s West Kordofan state, while an unknown number of miners remain missing beneath sand and rubble, according to local officials and community responders.

The disaster occurred at the al-Zara gold mine near al-Nuhud, an area controlled by Sudan’s paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF). The collapse reportedly began in one shaft and spread to interconnected sections of the mining site.

A local administrator told AFP that 60 bodies had initially been recovered, followed by another 22 on Wednesday, bringing the reported death toll to 82. The same official said about 50 people were injured, while others remained trapped or unaccounted for.

Rescue operation faces severe challenges

The search for survivors has been hampered by a lack of specialised rescue equipment. According to an official cited by The Associated Press, only one privately owned forklift was available to help remove material from the collapsed site.

Survivors described the mine as a large and unstable area, with sections of the workings extending more than 30 metres underground. Rescue workers and local residents have been attempting to remove soil and debris while facing the continuing danger of further collapses.

The Kordofan Observatory, a monitoring group, also reported that the affected mining area stretches across more than a kilometre of fragile, sandy ground and that specialised rescue teams were not available.

Informal mining raises safety concerns

The al-Zara operation is among thousands of small-scale and informal mining sites spread across Sudan. Such operations provide livelihoods for many communities but often operate outside formal safety systems.

Sudan has experienced several deadly mine collapses in recent years. A collapse in 2021 killed dozens of miners, while another incident in 2023 also resulted in multiple deaths. The recurring accidents have highlighted the risks associated with poorly regulated mining and inadequate emergency-response capacity.

Disaster comes amid Sudan’s wider conflict

The latest mine disaster comes as Sudan continues to endure a war between the RSF and the Sudanese Armed Forces, which began in April 2023.

West Kordofan is among the areas affected by the conflict, complicating access to remote communities and limiting the availability of emergency services. The region is also important to Sudan’s gold industry, which has continued operating despite the war.

The Associated Press reported that gold production and trade have become closely connected to the country’s wartime economy, while experts cited by the agency have raised concerns about gold being smuggled from areas controlled by armed groups.

Death toll could rise

With rescuers still searching through the collapsed workings, the final death toll remains uncertain. Different reports have given varying figures during the recovery operation, reflecting the difficulty of counting victims at a remote site where many miners remain missing.

For families waiting for news of relatives, the immediate priority remains locating those still trapped and recovering those who did not survive.

This report is based on information available as of September 17, 2026. The casualty figures may change as rescue and recovery operations continue.