Rescuers in Sudan have recovered 82 bodies after a gold mine collapse / Dozens of people are still missing

At least 82 people have died after the al-Zara gold mine in Nuhud, West Kordofan province, Sudan, collapsed. The accident began on Sunday, when one of the shafts caved in, and the collapse subsequently spread to the interconnected tunnels. Dozens of people are still missing.

Rescue teams are trying to reach victims trapped at depths of more than 30 meters, but the operation is hampered by a lack of equipment. Rescuers have only one privately owned forklift at their disposal and cannot quickly remove the soil and rocks. Dozens of people were working in the mine, and survivors described the situation as extremely serious.

The operation is informal and lacks basic safety measures. The mine extends for approximately one kilometer, in an area with sandy, fragile soil. The region is controlled by the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), a paramilitary group involved in the war with the Sudanese army, which broke out in 2023.

Sudan is a major gold producer, but accidents at small-scale mining sites are frequent because safety standards are poorly enforced. Gold extracted illegally is used, according to UN experts, to finance the conflict.