30 people die in gold mine collapse in northern Afghanistan, officials say

At least 30 people have lost their lives when a mine where they were digging for gold collapsed in Afghanistan’s northern province of Badakhshan, officials say.

“Poor villagers during winters try to compensate their earnings by pursuing illegal mining. They dig tunnels to enter the mines,” said Nek Mohammad Nazari, a spokesman for the provincial governor, on Sunday, adding that the tunnel caved in about 11 a.m. local time and killed the illegal miners.

He said at least 15 other minors had been injured in the incident, and nearly all of them are in critical condition.

Meanwhile, Sanaullah Rohani, a provincial police spokesman, said that the deadly accident, which occurred in heavy snowfall in Kohistan district, had been caused by a landslide.

Rohani further said that a total of about 50 illegal miners were inside the mine when it collapsed, adding that two rescue teams had been dispatched to the area to help and treat the wounded.

Neither of the officials provided further details regarding the number of possible workers trapped in the mine.

Landslides frequently occur in Afghanistan’s northern mountainous regions.

Last year, Kabul inked two contracts for the exploration of copper and gold deposits in northern provinces, a move aimed at preventing illegal mining and shifting away from the country’s dependence on foreign help by tapping its natural resources.