A major mining tragedy has struck the Central African Republic, where a landslide at the Zamboy gold mining site has killed at least 100 people.

The mining site is located around 50 kilometres from the town of Bambari, where hundreds of artisanal miners reportedly work. A section of the open-pit mining area collapsed, burying people in its path.

Survivors have been taken to hospitals, while search and recovery operations continue. Authorities say the exact number of people inside the mine when the accident occurred remains unknown.

The local public prosecutor said the landslide may have been triggered by the collapse of several underground tunnels where miners were operating. A judicial inquiry has been opened into the disaster.

Small-scale and informal mining remains widespread in parts of Africa, despite regulations and safety concerns. Unemployment and the search for livelihoods continue to push workers toward abandoned or unsafe mining sites.

Central African Republic Gold Mine Landslide Kills At Least 100, Rescue Operations Underway

Rescuers believe it could take at least another two weeks to free miners trapped underground in eastern China, dashing hopes of an imminent retrieval for a group that has already spent 12 days entombed by an explosion.

The increasingly desperate attempt to save 21 workers has been further complicated by a massive blockage that has delayed drilling efforts, according to state media.&nbsp;

"The obstacles are just too huge, which means we need a least another 15 days or even more to reach the miners," said Gong Haitao, deputy head of the local publicity department, according to state broadcaster CCTV.

The debris standing in the way weighs about 70 tons, Gong said.

Also read|&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/china-rescuers-prepare-escape-route-for-trapped-gold-miners-one-confirmed-dead-358263">China rescuers prepare escape route for trapped gold miners, one confirmed dead</a>

The blast at the Hushan mine in Shandong province sealed 22 workers hundreds of metres underground on January 10.

On Sunday, contact was made with 11 miners stuck at one location around 580 metres (1,900 feet) below the surface, and much-needed food and medical supplies were lowered down to them.

One of the group of eleven was seriously injured in the initial explosion and has been confirmed dead after suffering head injuries and falling into a coma.

A twelfth miner is believed to be trapped on his own, 100 metres further down in rising waters.

For the other 10 miners, hopes are dwindling as they have not been heard from since the explosion.

To extract the group, rescuers are trying to widen one of the shafts to eventually allow the workers to be brought up to the surface.

But progress has been slow because they are drilling through granite, according to officials.

State TV footage Friday showed large piles of unearthed debris at the rescue site, and a drill boring down through a deep shaft.

Official news agency Xinhua reported that the miners have been trying to help search for the missing group using laser pointers and loudspeakers, but have received no reply.

Rescuers have lowered life detectors and nutrient solutions into other sections of the mine as well, without response.

Mining accidents are common in China, where the industry has a poor safety record and regulations are often weakly enforced.

In December, 23 workers died after becoming stuck underground in the southwestern city of Chongqing.

Rescuers believe it could take at least another two weeks to free miners trapped underground in eastern China, dashing hopes of an imminent retrieval for a group that has already spent 12 days entombed by an explosion.

Rescuers believe it could take at least another two weeks to free miners trapped underground in eastern China, dashing hopes of an imminent retrieval for a group that has already spent 12 days entombed by an explosion. The increasingly desperate attempt to save 21 workers has been further complicated by a massive blockage that has delayed drilling efforts, according to state media. "The obstacles are just too huge, which means we need a least another 15 days or even more to reach the miners," said Gong Haitao, deputy head of the local publicity department, according to state broadcaster CCTV. The debris standing in the way weighs about 70 tons, Gong said. Also read| China rescuers prepare escape route for trapped gold miners, one confirmed dead The blast at the Hushan mine in Shandong province sealed 22 workers hundreds of metres underground on January 10. On Sunday, contact was made with 11 miners stuck at one location around 580 metres (1,900 feet) below the surface, and much-needed food and medical supplies were lowered down to them. One of the group of eleven was seriously injured in the initial explosion and has been confirmed dead after suffering head injuries and falling into a coma. A twelfth miner is believed to be trapped on his own, 100 metres further down in rising waters. For the other 10 miners, hopes are dwindling as they have not been heard from since the explosion. To extract the group, rescuers are trying to widen one of the shafts to eventually allow the workers to be brought up to the surface. But progress has been slow because they are drilling through granite, according to officials. State TV footage Friday showed large piles of unearthed debris at the rescue site, and a drill boring down through a deep shaft. Official news agency Xinhua reported that the miners have been trying to help search for the missing group using laser pointers and loudspeakers, but have received no reply. Rescuers have lowered life detectors and nutrient solutions into other sections of the mine as well, without response. Mining accidents are common in China, where the industry has a poor safety record and regulations are often weakly enforced. In December, 23 workers died after becoming stuck underground in the southwestern city of Chongqing.

Rescuers say at least two more weeks to free Chinese miners

Almost a week after 22 gold miners were trapped underground in east China, the search and rescue team has finally detected signs of life.

A blast took place on January 10 in a gold mine which damaged the exit ladder, making it impossible for the miners to come out of the suffocating mine.&nbsp;

Also read|<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/chile-threatens-legal-action-to-get-miner-company-to-disclose-lithium-reserves-355318">&nbsp;Chile threatens legal action to get miner company to disclose lithium reserves</a>

The authorities were unable to establish any contact with the workers stuck in the mine, giving way to the assumption that nobody survived the blast.

However, now, after almost a week, rescuers said they heard "knocking sounds" after they drilled down to the mine, but still need to confirm it, as reported by local media.

Also read|&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/explosion-in-goldmine-traps-22-workers-in-china-356234">Explosion in goldmine traps 22 workers in China</a>

For now, to safeguard the miners from starving, the local authorities are planning to lower down food and telephone lines into the mine.

The mine is owned by the Shandong Wucailong Investment Co. Ltd. and was under construction when the accident took place.

After the accident, two officials were sacked by the authorities.

China has been infamous for putting the lives of miners at risk In December 2020, 14&nbsp;miners lost their lives&nbsp;trapped underground following a coal and gas blast at a mine in southwest China.

Almost a week after 22 gold miners were trapped underground in east China, the search and rescue team has finally detected signs of life. A blast took place on January 10 in a gold mine which damaged the exit ladder, making it impossible for the miners to come out of the suffocating mine.

Almost a week after 22 gold miners were trapped underground in east China, the search and rescue team has finally detected signs of life. A blast took place on January 10 in a gold mine which damaged the exit ladder, making it impossible for the miners to come out of the suffocating mine. Also read| Chile threatens legal action to get miner company to disclose lithium reserves The authorities were unable to establish any contact with the workers stuck in the mine, giving way to the assumption that nobody survived the blast. However, now, after almost a week, rescuers said they heard "knocking sounds" after they drilled down to the mine, but still need to confirm it, as reported by local media. Also read| Explosion in goldmine traps 22 workers in China For now, to safeguard the miners from starving, the local authorities are planning to lower down food and telephone lines into the mine. The mine is owned by the Shandong Wucailong Investment Co. Ltd. and was under construction when the accident took place. After the accident, two officials were sacked by the authorities. China has been infamous for putting the lives of miners at risk In December 2020, 14 miners lost their lives trapped underground following a coal and gas blast at a mine in southwest China.

China: Rescue workers hear 'knocking sounds' from 22 trapped miners

Congress' Shillong MP Vincent H Pala goofed up in Lok Sabha on Thursday while mentioning the <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/air-forces-super-hercules-plane-joins-rescue-ops-in-meghalaya-high-power-pumps-airlifted-186965">trapped miners in Meghalaya</a>.

While moving an adjournment notice on the trapped miners in East Jaintia Hills district, the minister accidentally said&nbsp;Mizoram instead of Meghalaya.

"There was a need to rescue the miners trapped in Mizoram," the&nbsp;minister said.&nbsp;

Meanwhile, the minister on Friday said that he was quite sure that most of the miners, trapped inside the rat-hole mine in Meghalaya, have died.

"I’m very sure most people have died, I came to know from local people that there is no chance of people there, those who survive, they run away since the mining was illegal", he said.

"Earlier, the Central govt did not take seriously in sending the pumps, I hope with the new pumps coming they will be able to pump water, it will take minimum 2-3 days then we will be able to retrieve the bodies", he added.

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Congress' Shillong MP Vincent H Pala on <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/MeghalayaMiners?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#MeghalayaMiners</a>: Earlier the Central govt did not take seriously in sending the pumps, I hope with the new pumps coming they will be able to pump water, it will take minimum 2-3 days then we will be able to retrieve the bodies. <a href="https://t.co/QUnJYRhi4I">https://t.co/QUnJYRhi4I</a>
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The miners have been trapped since December 13 inside an illegal mine that has been flooded in Meghalaya amid dwindling hopes of finding them alive.

The Indian Air Force on Friday ordered one of its transport planes to carry high-power pumps from Odisha for the aid of 15 miners who are trapped.&nbsp;

Rescue teams are posed with a challenge of clearing the water in the area first, subsequently proceeding with the rescue operation in the vertical mine shaft which will require the team to dig tunnels into the ground.

(With inputs from PTI) 
&nbsp;

Congress' Shillong MP Vincent H Pala goofed up in Lok Sabha on Thursday while mentioning the trapped miners in Meghalaya. While moving an adjournment notice on the trapped miners in East Jaintia Hills district, the minister accidentally said Mizoram instead of Meghalaya.

Congress' Shillong MP Vincent H Pala goofed up in Lok Sabha on Thursday while mentioning the trapped miners in Meghalaya. While moving an adjournment notice on the trapped miners in East Jaintia Hills district, the minister accidentally said Mizoram instead of Meghalaya. "There was a need to rescue the miners trapped in Mizoram," the minister said. Meanwhile, the minister on Friday said that he was quite sure that most of the miners, trapped inside the rat-hole mine in Meghalaya, have died. "I’m very sure most people have died, I came to know from local people that there is no chance of people there, those who survive, they run away since the mining was illegal", he said. "Earlier, the Central govt did not take seriously in sending the pumps, I hope with the new pumps coming they will be able to pump water, it will take minimum 2-3 days then we will be able to retrieve the bodies", he added. Congress' Shillong MP Vincent H Pala on #MeghalayaMiners: Earlier the Central govt did not take seriously in sending the pumps, I hope with the new pumps coming they will be able to pump water, it will take minimum 2-3 days then we will be able to retrieve the bodies. https://t.co/QUnJYRhi4I — ANI (@ANI) December 28, 2018 × The miners have been trapped since December 13 inside an illegal mine that has been flooded in Meghalaya amid dwindling hopes of finding them alive. The Indian Air Force on Friday ordered one of its transport planes to carry high-power pumps from Odisha for the aid of 15 miners who are trapped. Rescue teams are posed with a challenge of clearing the water in the area first, subsequently proceeding with the rescue operation in the vertical mine shaft which will require the team to dig tunnels into the ground. (With inputs from PTI)

'Trapped in Mizoram': Congress MP goofs up on Meghalaya miners in Parliament

All 955 gold miners who were trapped underground for more than a day in&nbsp;<a href="https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/topic/South-Africa" pg="AS1_InlineMedia#AS1_https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/world/rest-of-world/all-955-miners-trapped-in-south-africa-resurface-unharmed-mine-owner/articleshow/62752100.cms~South Africa-https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/topic/South-Africa">South Africa</a>&nbsp;following a power cut resurfaced unharmed on Friday, the mine&#39;s owner Sibanye Gold said. 
&quot;Everybody&#39;s out,&quot; said spokesman James&nbsp;<a href="https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/topic/Wellsted" pg="AS1_InlineMedia#AS1_https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/world/rest-of-world/all-955-miners-trapped-in-south-africa-resurface-unharmed-mine-owner/articleshow/62752100.cms~Wellsted-https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/topic/Wellsted">Wellsted</a>, adding that there were &quot;cases of dehydration and high blood pressure but nothing serious&quot;. 
 
The miners were stuck in the Beatrix gold mine, in the small town of Theunissen near the city of Welkom, for around 30 hours after a massive power outage caused by a storm prevented lifts from bringing workers on the night shift to the surface. 
 
After several hours engineers were able to restore power, allowing the hoist to bring up the miners -- who had been trapped since Wednesday evening -- in batches.

&nbsp;

Asked if there had been any casualties, Wellsted said there was &quot;no indication so far that anyone has been in distress&quot; although it had been a &quot;traumatic experience&quot;. 
 
Several ambulances arrived on-site overnight, the AFP reporter said. 
 
Nervous family members had earlier patiently gathered along the road to the shaft, kept at a distance by security guards.

&nbsp;

All 955 gold miners who were trapped underground for more than a day in South Africa following a power cut resurfaced unharmed on Friday, the mine's owner Sibanye Gold said. "Everybody's out," said spokesman James Wellsted, adding that there were "cases of dehydration and high blood pressure but nothing serious". The miners were stuck in the Beatrix gold mine, in the small town of Theunissen near the city of Welkom, for around 30 hours after a massive power outage caused by a storm prevented lifts from bringing workers on the night shift to the surface. After several hours engineers were able to restore power, allowing the hoist to bring up the miners -- who had been trapped since Wednesday evening -- in batches. Asked if there had been any casualties, Wellsted said there was "no indication so far that anyone has been in distress" although it had been a "traumatic experience". Several ambulances arrived on-site overnight, the AFP reporter said. Nervous family members had earlier patiently gathered along the road to the shaft, kept at a distance by security guards.

All 955 miners trapped in South Africa resurface unharmed: Mine owner

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