Politics: Death toll for illegal mining accident in western Ghana rises to 22, police confirm

The toll was revised after family members came out to complain about their missing relatives

Twenty-two miners have been declared dead after an illegal gold mine caved in on them in Western Ghana, a report by the Ghana Police Service has indicated.

Nsuta district police commander, Superintendent Atsu Dzinaku explained the number had increased from the previous 17 death toll to 22.

The toll was revised after family members came out to complain about their missing relatives, he stated.

"Initially they said five, 14, then 17, now 22."

This tragic incident occurred in an old mining town of Prestea-Nsuta in the Western Region of Ghana, some 200 kilometres (125 miles) west of the capital, Accra.

The 80 feet deep pit had over 20 miners working in it before the collapsed.

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Burial rituals have already been performed as the collapsed mine was filled in with the approval of the missing miners' families.

Local police authorities are still searching for the owners of the mine and have already taken statements from those who managed to escape.

"We want to make sure those involved, especially the owners, will be brought to book. They can answer why they should operate that place because the government said they should stop operation."

The accident has been blamed on small-scale gold mining, popularly known in Ghana as "galamsey".

The new government in Ghana led by President Nana Akufo-Addo, who took office in January, has placed a ban on artisanal mining as a measure to clamp down on illegal operators.

The mining industry in Ghana involves big global players, however, the activities of artisanal miners continue to pose challenges to the environment as well as and threaten the production of cocoa as the miners take over cocoa farms.

The toll was revised after family members came out to complain about their missing relatives Read Full Story