Ten Workers Killed, 21 Injured in Mine Collapse in Eastern Sudan

Red Sea State, Sudan, September 21 (Daily Kiran) : A tragic incident occurred in the Oni area of Red Sea State, eastern Sudan, where five mines collapsed, leading to the deaths of ten workers and injuring 21 others. This information was confirmed by a local volunteer group and eyewitnesses.

On Sunday, the volunteer organization “Dar Hamaar Emergency Room” reported that rescue teams had recovered ten bodies and saved 21 injured miners. Search efforts continue for those who may still be trapped inside the mines.

The Sudanese Mineral Resources Company also issued a statement on Sunday, acknowledging the mine collapses in the Oni area. However, they did not provide an official count of casualties.

An eyewitness miner told the Xinhua news agency that the disaster struck on Saturday while workers were underground. He stated that surrounding mines collapsed one after another, burying the workers under rocks and debris.

Speaking on condition of anonymity, the miner noted that those present immediately attempted to rescue trapped individuals using available tools. Bulldozers were also called to help clear the rubble.

Access to certain parts of the site remains challenging, making it difficult to determine how many workers are missing. Several injured miners were transported to Port Sudan, approximately 300 kilometers from the mining site.

This incident occurred just days after the collapse of the Al-Jarah mine near Al-Nuhud in West Kordofan State, which resulted in numerous fatalities among miners.

Artisanal and small-scale mining is a significant source of income for many people in Sudan, with approximately 80 percent of the country’s gold produced through these methods. There are over 800 mining sites across northern and western Sudan, employing more than 1.5 million miners.

Gold is one of Sudan’s primary sources of foreign currency. According to official figures, Sudan produced 70 tons of gold in 2025.

Such accidents are not uncommon in Sudan’s mines, where inadequate safety measures and poor infrastructure pose significant risks to workers.