At Least 67 People Die in Sudan Mine Collapse

At least 67 people have died in a disaster at the al-Zara gold mine located in Sudan's West Kordofan state. Search and rescue operations and efforts to reach missing persons are ongoing in the area.

Details of the Disaster at the Mine

A major cave-in occurred at the al-Zara gold mine in the town of Nuhud, located in Sudan's West Kordofan state. Unregulated and rule-free working conditions at the scene exacerbated the scale of the disaster.

The Sudanese Doctors Network health group announced that the death toll was at least 67, reporting that search and rescue operations for those trapped under the rubble were continuing.

Conflicting Dates and Missing Persons Information

There are some contradictory statements among sources regarding the time the incident occurred. While survivors and the medical network stated that the incident took place on Tuesday evening, the Kordofan Observatory reported that the cave-in happened on Sunday.

The Kordofan Observatory reported that at least 70 miners had lost their lives or were missing at the mining site, which consists of interconnected shafts.

Lack of Equipment in Rescue Operations

Khairal-Sayed Gabara, one of the surviving miners, stated that the collapse was massive and the necessary machinery to clear the rubble, which is deeper than 30 meters, was lacking.

Another surviving miner, Al-Amin Suliman, stated that as of Wednesday morning, they had reached 60 bodies and there were still people trapped inside.

Unsafe Mines and Wartime Environment in Sudan

Similar fatal accidents have occurred in the past in small-scale mines in Sudan, where safety measures are not enforced. There are thousands of illegal and unregistered mines across the country.

The fierce war between the army and the Rapid Support Forces, ongoing since April 2023, has deepened the humanitarian crisis in the country, while gold mines continue to operate in the shadow of the clashes.