Deputy Director of National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO), Douglas, has said it is likely that the remaining miners who were believed to be trapped in the collapsed pit at Korley Teye in the Birim North District of the Eastern Region may have found an escape route.
Seven miners have been confirmed dead, and while one eyewitness mentioned that five others were rescued with injuries, NADMO can only confirm the whereabouts of three survivors.
The specific hospital where the injured miners were taken is unknown. Local residents suggest that injured victims of illegal mining accidents avoid seeking help from official facilities or reporting to the police due to fears of being handed over to law enforcement agencies.
An eyewitness, Frank Owusu Amoah, who said he personally got involved in rescue efforts, told Adom News he saw five persons rescued alive, who were taken to the hospital with injuries.
However Deputy NADMO Director, Douglas Adomako said has told Adom News Akwasi Dwamena that they managed to save three persons who are currently responding to treatment at the hospital.
He added that the rest may have used another root to escape from danger and that there is nobody in the pit.
Emmanuel Okyere, Unit Committee Secretary said the casualty rate could have been higher, explaining that torrential rains prevented many miners from going down the tunnel, leaving the field to the ‘very stubborn’ ones.
He said when they heard of the accident, they mobilised to attempt to rescue the trapped, however their efforts yielded only seven dead bodies.
Emmanuel Okyere said he was yet to confirm that one of those rescued with injuries may have died as well.