At least 60 killed in gold mine collapse in Sudan’s West Kordofan

At least 60 people have been killed in the collapse of a gold mine in Sudan’s West Kordofan state, while other miners are believed to remain trapped underground, according to reports from the area.

The collapse occurred on Sunday at the Al-Zarrah mine in the Al-Fajja area, northwest of the city of En Nahud.

The local Kordofan Observatory said more than 70 miners had been killed or were missing following the collapse of a series of nearby mining sites.

The group said a miner who managed to escape on Tuesday reported that other survivors remained trapped underground, raising pressure for rescue operations to reach the site quickly.

Specialised rescue teams had not yet reached the remote mining area, according to the organisation.

Local residents have been attempting to reach those trapped and recover bodies using basic equipment, but unstable sandy terrain has complicated the rescue effort and raised concerns about further collapses.

Three local officials cited in reports said inadequate safety measures and a shortage of rescue equipment contributed to the scale of the disaster.

Sudan is a major African gold producer, with a substantial share of production coming from artisanal and small-scale mining, where workers can face significant safety risks and often operate with limited protective equipment and emergency infrastructure.

The number of miners still trapped or missing remained unclear as rescue efforts continued.

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