Ghana officials say 80 trapped after heavy rains led to collapse of illegal gold mine

Published November 17, 2014

DUNKWA-ON-OFFIN, Ghana (AP) — Ghanaian officials say police have arrested the owner of an illegal mine where 80 miners are believed to be trapped after the mine collapsed.

Municipal chief Peter Owusu-Eshia says the abandoned gold mine collapsed Sunday after heavy rains. He said Tuesday police arrested a man who is alleged to have hired 136 people to work the mine. The mine is some 125 miles (200 kilometers) from Accra, the capital. Residents of the town of Dunkwa-on-Offin say they believe there could be more than 80 miners trapped inside.

Local fire official D.O. Adusa says rescuers are struggling because survivors are withholding information about the illegal mining operation.

The West African nation is one of the continent's largest gold exporters.

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