At Least 48 Dead in Mali Gold Mine Collapse: Local Sources

Mali, already one of the world’s poorest countries, has long struggled with the dangers of illegal mining, with frequent deadly landslides and accidents plaguing mining sites. As authorities continue to grapple with unregulated operations, the tragedy highlights the perilous conditions faced by many miners.

"The toll at 6:00 p.m. today stands at 48 confirmed dead after the collapse," a police official said. "Among the victims, some tragically fell into the water. One of the deceased was a woman with a child strapped to her back."

Local officials and the Kenieba Gold Miners’ Association confirmed the death toll. Rescue efforts were still underway, with search teams continuing to comb through the site, according to an environmental organization spokesperson.

The mine where the incident occurred had been abandoned by a Chinese company, sources revealed. This site had previously been a focal point of unregulated mining activities.

This is not the first deadly accident in Mali’s mining sector. In January, a landslide at a gold mine in the southern region killed at least 10 people and left several others missing, most of them women. Just over a year ago, a tunnel collapse at a gold mine in the same region claimed the lives of more than 70 people.

The collapse underscores the ongoing dangers of illegal mining in Mali, where poor oversight and hazardous working conditions continue to put lives at risk.