A galamsey pit at Ntotroso in the Asutifi North District of the Ahafo Region has collapsed, killing two persons in the process.
The victims, Kwabena Saaben and Joshua Baidoo were each believed to be 32 years old.
In an interview, the District Police Commander of Asutifi North and South, DSP Paul A. Ahenkan, said the police received an anonymous call around 9am that two persons had been trapped in the pit since dawn and were yet to be rescued.
The District Commander told Adom News’ Christian Ofori Kumah that a team made up of personnel from the Asutifi North District Fire Service and the Police Service, was subsequently dispatched to the location.
DSP Paul Ahenkan said after hours of digging, the bodies of the victims were finally retrieved from the pit.
He blames the death of the men on the delay in relaying the information to the police. He said, had the issue been reported immediately it happened, the men would not have suffocated to death in the pit.
He used the opportunity to warn other illegal miners to desist from the act while urging residents to report hidden locations that are still experiencing the galamsey menace.
Meanwhile, the bodies of the victims have been deposited at the Saint Elizabeth Hospital Morgue at Hwidiem the capital of Asutifi South District for autopsy, while the police commence an investigation into the incident.
