7 Galamseyers Killed In Domi Keniago Mining Pit Collapse
Seven illegal miners have been confirmed dead after a mining pit collapsed on them at Domi Keniago in the Amansie South District of the Ashanti Region.
The incident occurred at about 9:40 p.m. on Thursday, September 3, 2026, at an abandoned mining site where the victims were reportedly engaged in illegal mining.
According to the National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO), 12 miners, all males, were working inside the pit when it suddenly caved in.
Four of the miners managed to escape, while eight others were trapped underground.
One of the survivors, 42-year-old John Paintsil, reportedly escaped from the collapsing pit and raised the alarm.
At about 10:48 p.m., rescue personnel recovered the first body from the collapsed pit.
As of Friday morning, seven bodies had been retrieved, while one miner remained trapped underground as rescue teams continued their search and recovery operation.
The bodies of the deceased are being conveyed to St. Martin’s Hospital at Agroyesum for autopsy and preservation.
NADMO identified the deceased as Kwaku Dada, Akwasi Awudu and Kwaku Badu, all from Keniago; Kwame from Kwabenaso; Awelo and Kofi Asaa from Oppong Valley; Kojo Buabeng from Abiram; and another person known only as ‘Chinchilla’.
DCE CONFIRMS INCIDENT
The District Chief Executive (DCE) for Amansie South, Hon. Benjamin Marfo, confirmed the incident, saying the District Assembly received a distress call at about 10:00 p.m.
“I received a call from Domi Keniago reporting that a mining pit had collapsed, trapping eight people,” Mr. Marfo said.
He explained that he immediately dispatched personnel from NADMO and local rescue teams to the scene to commence rescue efforts.
“So far, seven bodies have been retrieved, and search efforts are ongoing for the remaining person,” he stated.
INVESTIGATION
Mr. Marfo described the mining operation as illegal and said the site lacked the required safety oversight.
He stressed that the immediate focus was on rescuing the trapped miner and recovering the bodies, after which investigations would be conducted to establish the circumstances surrounding the collapse.
“When digging a pit, technical knowledge is essential,” the DCE cautioned.
“What they were doing was illegal, but our priority right now is to manage the situation. Afterwards, we will investigate who created the pit and take the necessary action,” he added.
