West Kordofan, Sudan (Running Africa) — At least 60 miners have been killed after a gold mine collapsed in Sudan’s West Kordofan state, according to local sources cited by international media, as rescuers continue searching for people believed to be trapped underground.

The disaster occurred at the Al-Zaraa gold mine near El-Nahud, where sections of the mine began collapsing on Tuesday after nearby shafts gave way.

Local miners said tunnels had been dug close together, allowing the initial collapse to spread into adjoining shafts.

Rescuers Search Al-Zaraa Gold Mine for Survivors

Rescue operations continued overnight, with fellow miners using basic tools to dig through rocks and soil in an attempt to reach survivors and recover bodies.

Survivor Khair al-Sayyed Jabara said heavy machinery was urgently needed to clear debris from the collapsed mine.

The number of miners still trapped underground remains unclear.

The Kordofan Observatory, a local monitoring group, said more than 70 miners could be dead or missing and appealed for urgent assistance with the rescue operation.

Remote Location Complicates Sudan Mine Rescue

Efforts to reach those trapped have been complicated by the mine’s remote location and the lack of specialized rescue equipment.

With miners relying largely on basic tools, clearing the collapsed shafts has been difficult as authorities and local communities try to establish the full scale of the disaster.

The confirmed death toll could rise as rescue and recovery efforts continue.

Sudan Gold Mining Sector Faces Safety Risks

The West Kordofan disaster has again drawn attention to safety risks within Sudan’s largely informal gold-mining industry, where miners often work in small-scale operations with limited equipment and safety infrastructure.

Gold has become increasingly important to Sudan’s economy since the war between the Sudanese Armed Forces and the Rapid Support Forces erupted in 2023.

The conflict has devastated much of the country’s economy and infrastructure, increasing the importance of gold production as a revenue source.

For now, rescue efforts at the Al-Zaraa mine remain focused on locating those still missing, with local groups calling for heavy equipment and additional assistance to reach the collapsed shafts.