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General News of Monday, 3 July 2017

Source: classfmonline.com

Galamsey pit swallows 19; 14 feared dead

File photo File photo

Fourteen out of 19 illegal small scale miners (galamseyers) have been trapped in the belly of the earth since Sunday, July 2.

The accident occurred at Prestea-Nsuta in the Western Region as the illegal miners undertook their operation.

Heavy rains weakened the earth, causing the pit to cave in on them.

Five of them were able to come out of the pit alive.

It is, however, unclear if the remaining 14 are still alive or dead. Rescue efforts are underway.

The Akufo-Addo government launched a blitzkrieg against small scale mining when the New Patriotic Party won last year’s elections. Some small scale miners, however, persist with the illegality irrespective of the onslaught.