Three Dead After Mining Pit Collapses at Odumase-Santenso

Three people have died after a mining pit collapsed on them at Odumase-Santenso in the Asante Akyem Central Municipality of the Ashanti Region.

The victims, identified as two women and a man, were reportedly between the ages of 21 and 25 and were engaged in illegal small-scale mining popularly known as “one-man” mining.

The incident occurred at about 4:00 p.m. on Friday, August 7, 2026.

According to the caretaker Assembly Member for the area and Assembly Member for the Bomeriso Electoral Area, Isaac Kyei Andoh, residents alerted him shortly after the pit collapsed, prompting an immediate rescue effort.

Mr Andoh said he informed the Municipal Chief Executive (MCE), following which arrangements were made to secure a backhoe to assist in retrieving the trapped miners.

However, the equipment reportedly developed a mechanical fault and could not be deployed.

A private backhoe was subsequently arranged, but before it arrived at the scene, residents had already managed to dig through the collapsed pit and retrieve the bodies.

The three bodies were recovered between 6:30 p.m. and 7:00 p.m., according to Mr Andoh.

Traditional rites were performed at the scene by local chiefs before the remains were conveyed to a mortuary.

Mr Andoh explained that the victims were involved in “one-man” mining, an unregulated form of small-scale mining in which individuals dig deep pits using basic or makeshift equipment in search of gold.

“I got a call around 4 p.m. about the pit collapse. We mobilised a vehicle to release the bodies from the pit. The chiefs performed some rites before the three bodies were sent to the mortuary. The deceased include two women and a man, aged between 21 and 25 years. The pit caved in and killed them,” he said.

The tragedy has renewed concerns about the dangers associated with unregulated mining activities in the area, particularly the use of unsafe mining pits and makeshift equipment.

It has also highlighted concerns over the loss of young lives through illegal mining operations in the Asante Akyem Central Municipality, with calls for stronger measures to prevent miners from working in hazardous conditions.

Source:Adomonline