Seven illegal miners have been confirmed dead while another remains trapped underground following the collapse of a mining pit at Manso Keniago in the Amansie South District of the Ashanti Region. The incident occurred on Thursday, September 3, 2026, at about 7:00 p.m., when the miners were reportedly working underground in search of gold.
The Manso area Coordinator of the National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO), Ishak Iddrisu, confirmed the incident and said rescue teams were working to retrieve the last miner believed to be trapped beneath the rubble. According to Mr Iddrisu, the collapse trapped eight of the miners who were inside the pit at the time of the incident. Two others reportedly managed to escape from the mining site shortly after the pit gave way.
Speaking in an interview with Radio Ghana, monitored by Graphic Online, Mr Iddrisu said rescue operations began immediately after the incident was reported and continued throughout the night. Rescuers have so far retrieved the remains of seven of the eight miners who were trapped underground.
The recovery operation has been challenging because of the nature of the collapsed pit and the volume of earth and debris covering the miners. Rescue personnel are therefore proceeding cautiously to avoid further collapse and to protect those involved in the operation. Five of the deceased miners have reportedly been identified as residents of Manso Keniago, while the remaining two are believed to have come from other communities.
The identities of the deceased are expected to be formally confirmed as families and authorities complete the necessary identification procedures. Personnel from the Amansie South District Police Command, the Ghana National Ambulance Service and NADMO have been deployed to the scene to support the rescue and recovery operation.
Community volunteers have also joined the emergency teams in the search for the remaining miner. The latest incident has once again highlighted the dangers associated with illegal mining activities, particularly the risks faced by miners who operate in unstable and poorly regulated pits.
Illegal mining, popularly known as galamsey in Ghana, often involves excavation in areas where appropriate safety measures may not be in place. Miners working underground can be exposed to a range of hazards, including pit collapses, flooding, inadequate ventilation and other mining-related accidents.
In many mining communities, individuals engage in such activities because of the economic opportunities associated with gold mining. However, the lack of proper engineering assessments, protective equipment and adherence to established mining regulations can significantly increase the risk of fatalities.
The Manso Keniago incident has therefore renewed concerns about the safety of people engaged in unregulated mining operations and the need for stronger enforcement of mining regulations. For the families of the affected miners, the incident has brought grief and uncertainty, particularly for relatives waiting for confirmation about the remaining person trapped underground.
Authorities and rescuers have continued to work at the site as they attempt to locate and recover the final trapped miner. The operation remains active, with rescue teams carefully removing debris from the collapsed pit while monitoring the site for further danger. As of Friday, September 4, efforts were still ongoing to retrieve the remains of the eighth miner.
Authorities are expected to provide further updates on the rescue operation and the identities of the deceased as more information becomes available.
Philbert Amiba Ayuusah