More than 100 people have been killed after an artisanal gold mine collapsed in western Central African Republic, with several others still missing or feared trapped, according to officials and relief workers.
The collapse occurred on Tuesday at a low-tech mining site in Zamboye village, Nana-Mambéré prefecture, near the border with Cameroon. Rescue and recovery operations are continuing, although local workers say the response has been hampered by a lack of equipment and expertise.
Red Cross volunteers and local miners have been recovering bodies from the site. Authorities have warned that the death toll could rise as search operations continue for people buried beneath the debris.
The disaster has also affected Cameroonian nationals, with several reportedly among those killed. An investigation is under way to establish the circumstances surrounding the collapse and identify those responsible.
Artisanal mining is widespread in the Central African Republic, where thousands of people work in informal operations that often lack adequate safety measures. The latest tragedy has renewed concerns about dangerous and poorly regulated mining practices in the country.