Authorities in the republic of Niger said the people were killed when the mine partially collapsed on Sunday; in the region located in the south of the country, near the border with Nigeria. Hundreds have gathered on Monday at a goldmine where 18 people died after a collapse in Niger’s Dan Issa township.
Governor of Maradi region Aboubacar Chaibou visited the goldmine collapse site on Monday; telling The Associated Press that authorities were going to; “review governor of Maradi region” in order to improve conditions.
Local authorities said that thousands have been arriving at the place to work on the recently discovered mine.
The area is characterized by loose soil that never holds up leading to the frequent min collapse in various mines.
The Niger government in 2017 shut down several of these illegal mines after frequent accidents were reported.
According to Mayor of Dan Issa Adamou Guero there have been difficulties in controlling and organizing the work at the site.
Niger is sadly one of the world’s poorest countries, and the country is also affected by the violence; that has caused the internal displacement of thousands fleeing from extremist groups operating in the country.
Niger has only one industrial mine in Tillaberi and that has been running since 2004.
