A catastrophic landslide occurred at a gold mining operation in Zamboï, Western Central African Republic (CAR), near the Cameroon border, resulting in the deaths of over 100 individuals, according to an official report. The incident, which unfolded Tuesday afternoon, triggered a rapid response from emergency services and rescue teams. Videos circulating online depict a slope collapsing onto a group of workers, with many fleeing the scene in panic. Adamou Abdon, the mayor of Garoua-Boulaï, Cameroonian border town, confirmed the event, stating that it had been ‘not immediately clear’ what triggered the collapse, explaining that initially, 107 lifeless bodies had been removed from the rubble. Cedric Mbango, a miner at the site, provided a harrowing account, stating that the ground completely collapsed and buried several individuals. He emphasized that other people remain trapped within the unstable area. At least four victims are Cameroonian, a statement from the Cameroonian governor’s East Region revealed. Grégoire Mvongo explained that bodies are being repatriated home for burial, while authorities are attempting to provide assistance to those injured in Zamboï. The investigation into the landslide is now underway, with the public prosecutor in Baboua stating a suspicion is being placed on the collapse of several underground tunnels utilized by miners. AFP reports that this collapse is linked to the operation of several underground tunnels where miners were working. Artisanal mining, a prevalent method of extracting minerals in the region, provides a primary source of income for many households, but it’s often associated with precarious working conditions and significant health and environmental risks. The situation highlights the vulnerability of mining operations in the CAR, particularly given the region’s history of landslides and torrential rainfall. Further updates and detailed reports are available on BBCAfrica.com. Follow us on Twitter @BBCAfrica, on Facebook at BBC Africa, or on Instagram at bbcafrica for ongoing coverage.
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Source: BBC Africa
