Published August 20th, 2026 - 06:08 GMT
ALBAWABA - At least 100 people were killed in a gold mine collapse in a western part of Central African Republic, a Red Cross volunteer involved in relief efforts and a local official announced Wednesday.The incident took place on Tuesday morning, August 18, in the village of Zamboye, near the border with Cameroon, according to the Associated Press.The death toll increased to over 100 people; in addition, several others were critically injured, Gervais Ganagoroh, a local Red Cross volunteer who is among the rescue workers, revealed.The death toll is set to increase as many people are still trapped under soil following the gold mine collapse.Bertrand Be Yangué, a member of the Zamboye youth council, said, "Finding them alive would be a miracle," adding, "We are saddened and heartbroken to see young men and women perish after coming to the mines to save their families from despair."A video showing a massive gold mine collapse was documented and posted on social media.The authorities announced opening a probe into the incident to determine the cause of the gold mine collapse, identify the victims in addition to punishing people responsible for operating the site, and launch any potential criminal liability, the prosecutor at the Baboua sub-prefecture court announced in a statement.
