Two persons have been confirmed dead, while another remains in critical condition following the collapse of an illegal mining (galamsey) pit at Assin Dansame in the Assin North District.

The incident occurred at about 1:00 p.m. on Thursday, April 23, when eight miners were working inside a newly dug pit.

Reports indicate that the walls of the pit suddenly caved in, trapping three of the miners beneath heaps of loose soil and debris.

Residents and fellow miners mounted a frantic rescue effort, but faced difficulties due to the unstable terrain and the depth of the collapse. After several tense minutes, the three victims were eventually retrieved from the rubble.

The sole survivor was rushed to a nearby health facility, where medical personnel described his condition as extremely critical. According to reports, he is currently receiving emergency treatment for multiple injuries sustained in the incident.

The bodies of the deceased, a 22 year-old woman and a 25 year-old man, have been deposited at the New Edubiase Government Hospital morgue for preservation.

Police have launched an investigation into the incident, while officials from the National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO) are expected to visit the scene to assess possible safety breaches and offer support to the bereaved families.

However, the Assin North District Director of NADMO, Mr. Edward Fireson, has confirmed the incident and indicated that steps are being taken to intensify the fight against illegal mining in the area.

"This one leg job that doing it in the Assin North they should put a stop on it because we've said it severally but is like they don't listen and today two people have lost their life through it.

"I'm warning them today that from next week going we'll call for national security and the NAIMOS to will be present and we'll sack everyone from the river that anyone working on the river must stop to make the river clean," he warned.