Four people believed to be illegal miners also called ‘galamsey’ operators have met their untimely deaths at Obengkrom in the Ellembelle District of the Western Region.
They were said to be working inside a deep pit when it suddenly caved in, trapping them to their deaths.
The sad incident reportedly occurred at about 10pm on Monday and the names of the deceased persons (two males and two females) were given only as Braimah, 37; Kaabi, 30, Mediase, 28, and Monica, 27.
According to sources, the four lifeless bodies were retrieved from the pit with the assistance of some residents of the area when the news broke that they had been trapped.
Eyewitnesses said six people had gone to the ‘galamsey’ pit in search of gold as they have been doing with others, but the four were not lucky on that fateful day.
They claimed that when the pit caved in, two men managed to climb up to safety albeit with serious injuries but the others were trapped.
The lifeless bodies of the four persons have since been deposited at the Axim Government Hospital for autopsy.
Confirming the story, the Ellembelle District Police Commander, Supt. Thomas Bayor, said the police were informed about the sad incident at about 11pm.
He told DAILY GUIDE that the police were yet to get the full names of the deceased persons and said the issue was under investigation.
From Emmanuel Opoku, Takoradi