At least 60 workers were killed when a gold mine collapsed near the city of Al-Nuhud in Sudan’s West Kordofan state, while others remained missing as the search continued for people trapped under the rubble. The collapse occurred on Tuesday at the Al-Zara mine, and rescuers had recovered 60 bodies by Wednesday morning. Miners took part in rescue operations that continued throughout the night.
A survivor’s account and the risks of artisanal mining
Survivor Khair al-Sayyid Jabara, who took part in the rescue efforts with his colleagues, said: “We do not know how many people remain trapped inside.” Gold prospectors, known as artisanal miners, often work in makeshift shafts and tunnels, increasing their exposure to collapses. Thousands of unregulated wells and pits, along with weak safety measures at many sites, also raise the risks.
Sudanese authorities face difficulties in fully monitoring mines spread across several states, including North Kordofan, West Kordofan, River Nile and Red Sea.
