Mali Gold Mine Collapse Kills at Least 48

At least 48 people have died in the collapse of an illegally operated gold mine in western Mali, authorities and local sources confirmed.

Mali, one of Africa’s top gold producers, frequently sees deadly landslides and accidents at mining sites, particularly in unregulated operations. Officials have struggled to control illicit gold mining, which remains widespread in the poverty-stricken nation.

“The toll as of 1800 today is 48 dead following the collapse,” a police source said, adding that some victims fell into the water, including a woman carrying a baby.

A local official and the Kenieba gold miners’ association also confirmed the accident and the death toll. Rescue efforts are still ongoing, according to the head of an environmental organization.

The collapse occurred at an abandoned mining site previously operated by a Chinese company, sources told AFP.

This latest tragedy follows a similar accident in January, when a landslide at a gold mine in southern Mali killed at least 10 people. Just over a year ago, a tunnel collapse in the same region claimed more than 70 lives.