Rescue operations by a combine team
of the Ghana Police Service and Zoomlion are underway to retrieve bodies of
persons who are feared trapped under a mining pit at Gbane in the Talensi
District of the Upper East Region.
So far, three bodies have been retrieved
from the collapse pit.
The three have been identified at 49 year old Kofi
Acheampong from Akim Oda, Dennis Atuna and Kojo Boo, both 28 and residents of
the region.
They were prospecting for gold when the pit accidentally caved in.
Rescue operations since the unfortunate incident last Wednesday has been on-going,
whilst mining activities in the area have been grounded to a halt to enable
other miners assist in the rescue operations.
According to the Regional Police
Public Relations Officer, ASP Thomas Agbenyo, efforts to rescue persons
believed to be trapped underground have been an exercise in futility.
He hinted
that the Regional Security Council, REGSEC has met to deliberate on the way
forward and is yet to come out with a decision as to whether the search should
continue or brought to an end.
Indications are that the pit will be permanently
closed since the rest cannot be traced. Officials from the NADMO and the Ghana
Fire Service last Friday assisted in the rescue operations.
The Regional Police
Commander, DCOP Simon Afeku and the Deputy Upper East Regional Minister, Daniel
Syme, also toured the site to witness the unfortunate incident and also
sympathize with the deceased families.
Meanwhile, Shaanxxi Mining Company, a
mining firm that is providing mining support services to small scale miners in
the area have been supportive in the rescue operations.
GBC
END
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