Central Africa gold mine collapse: 100 feared dead, rescue operations underway

Bouwar: At least 100 people are feared dead after an illegal gold mine collapsed in the Central African Republic, trapping hundreds of artisanal miners underground.

The incident occurred in the Zamboye mining area, around 50 km from Baboua near the Cameroon border. A large section of the mining site reportedly collapsed, burying workers under tonnes of soil.

Rescue and search operations are underway as authorities and local residents continue efforts to locate those trapped. Several injured miners have been rescued and admitted to a hospital in Baboua for treatment.

Local miner Cedric Mbango said a major portion of the mining area had collapsed and that many workers were still believed to be trapped beneath the debris.

Officials have not yet confirmed the exact number of casualties. With hundreds of miners reportedly present at the site when the collapse occurred, the death toll could rise further as rescue teams continue their search.