Sudan gold mine collapse kills at least 67, toll may rise

A gold mine collapse in a remote part of Sudan has killed at least 67 people, according to a medical group and survivors, with the death toll expected to climb as rescue operations continue.

The incident occurred at the al-Zara gold mine in the town of Nuhud, located in West Kodporan province. The area is controlled by the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces, which has been engaged in a war with the country's military for more than three years.

Survivors said the collapse happened late on Tuesday, and that many people remain unaccounted for at the site. The mine consists of several shafts.

Al-Amin Suliman, a miner, said people were trapped inside the mine following the collapse.

The medical group warned that the number of dead could increase as search and rescue teams continue to look for survivors or those buried beneath the rubble.

Sudan is a major gold producer, but mine collapses are a recurring hazard because of poor safety standards. In recent years, similar incidents have claimed lives: a collapse in 2023 killed 14 miners, while one in 2021 left 38 dead.