11 Dead, Dozens Injured in Illegal Mining Collapse
A mining pit collapse at an illegal galamsey site in Akyem Wenchi, Denkyembour District, Eastern Region, killed at least 11 people and injured dozens on July 16, 2025, with several miners still trapped. Rescue teams from the National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO), Ghana Police Service, Ghana National Fire Service, and Ambulance Service are working under hazardous conditions to save survivors, with waterlogged pits hindering efforts.
The cause of the collapse remains unknown, though heavy rainfall is suspected, similar to a 2023 Birim North incident that killed seven. Eyewitnesses described chaotic scenes, with angry residents briefly obstructing rescue operations, forcing security personnel to retreat temporarily, as reported by BBC News Pidgin. NADMO’s Eastern Regional Director, Kwame Appiah-Kubi, confirmed ongoing efforts but noted unstable ground complicating rescues.
This disaster follows President John Mahama’s July 15 declaration of galamsey as a national emergency, with over 100 deaths in mining accidents since 2010, including 136 in Dunkwa-on-Offin in 2010. The Attorney-General’s July 15 directive to EOCO to probe NDC executives for illegal mining underscores the crisis’s political dimensions. Local miners called for better safety measures and legalization to prevent such tragedies.
The incident highlights Ghana’s ongoing struggle with illegal mining, which destroys water bodies and forests, with turbidity levels in rivers like the Pra exceeding 14,000 NTU. Community leaders in Akyem Wenchi urged stricter enforcement and support for displaced families, as the death toll may rise. Investigations into the collapse’s cause are underway, with NADMO coordinating relief for affected families.
The tragedy, the third major mining collapse in the Eastern Region since 2023, renews calls for regulating artisanal mining. The Ghana National Association of Small-Scale Miners demanded the release of seized equipment to support safer practices, while critics argue lax oversight and corruption exacerbate risks. Rescue operations continue, with hopes fading for those still trapped.