At least 10 artisanal miners have died and 21 others were injured after a mine collapse in eastern Sudan. The accident took place in the Oni area of Red Sea State, where several mining shafts suddenly collapsed while workers were underground.
According to the Sudanese Mineral Resources Company, five mining shafts collapsed on Saturday. The workers were buried under rocks and soil following the collapse, making rescue operations difficult.
Emergency teams and local authorities began efforts to search the affected area and rescue workers trapped underground. However, difficult terrain and limited access to parts of the mining site have slowed the operation.
Officials have confirmed that 10 miners lost their lives in the accident, while 21 others were injured. The injured workers are receiving medical attention, although further details about their condition have not been released.
The number of miners who may still be missing remains unclear. Rescue teams are continuing to search the area, and officials are expected to provide more information once the operation progresses.
Artisanal mining is an important source of income for many people in Sudan. However, workers at small-scale mining sites can face serious safety risks because of unstable shafts, limited safety equipment and difficult working conditions.
Authorities are expected to examine what caused the five shafts to collapse and whether safety procedures were being followed at the site.
The accident has once again highlighted the dangers faced by miners working in difficult conditions. Rescue and recovery efforts are continuing as authorities work to determine the full impact of the collapse.