Seven illegal miners have been confirmed dead and one person remains trapped underground after a mining pit collapsed at Manso Keniago in the Amansie South District of the Ashanti Region on Thursday, September 3.
Ishak Iddrisu, the NADMO Coordinator in the Manso area has confirmed.
In an interview with Radio Ghana, monitored by Graphic Online, Mr Iddrisu said efforts were underway to retrieve the trapped body.
The collapse reportedly occurred at about 7:00 pm while the illegal miners were reportedly working in the pit in search of gold.
Reports indicate that 10 people were in the mining pit when it collapsed, but two managed to escape. Eight were trapped.
Rescuers worked through the night and managed to retrieve the remains of seven of the eight miners trapped beneath the debris.
Five of the deceased have reportedly been identified as residents of Manso Keniago, while the remaining two are said to be from other communities.
Personnel from the Amansie South District Police Command, the Ghana National Ambulance Service, the National Disaster Management Organisation, and community volunteers are currently at the site continuing the search for the remaining miner believed to be trapped in the collapsed pit.
Rescue efforts are ongoing.
-Graphic-