The incident occurred over the week-end in Nile River State, where artisanal mining is rampant and largely unregulated. Eyewitnesses said miners were trapped beneath a sudden avalanche of sand and rock while working at the rudimentary site. Rescue efforts were severely hampered due to the absence of specialized equipment and trained emergency personnel, slowing the recovery of bodies from the debris.
The tragedy, which follows a similar incident at the same site just two months ago, has intensified criticism of Sudan’s weak regulatory framework surrounding artisanal mining. Thousands of miners operate under hazardous conditions with minimal oversight, often lacking basic safety protocols or infrastructure. The repeated loss of life has renewed urgent calls for government intervention to enforce mining standards, invest in safer practices, and protect the livelihoods of those who depend on this perilous but vital sector.
United News - unews.co.za