Rescue workers in Burkina Faso are working round the clock to reach eight miners who have been trapped underground for more than two weeks following a mishap.
Africa Today News, New York reports that this followed the flooding of a zinc mine at Perkoa following heavy rain last month.
At least six of the miners are reportedly from Burkina Faso and the other two are from Zambia and Tanzania.
The government of Burkina Faso has launched a judicial enquiry and the mine managers are for now not allowed to leave the country.
The Canadian mining company, Trevali, says it is working 24 hours a day to locate the missing miners.
Read Also: Mixed Feelings As Burkina Faso Declares Junta Chief, President
It says that when the mine flooded, the eight workers were deeper underground than their colleagues – more than 500m from the surface.
Electricity and communication links are reportedly cut off.
Prime Minister Albert Ouedraogo visited over the weekend and blamed those in charge of the mine, saying dynamite had been used which had let the flood water in more easily.
Trevali said it was aware of the prime minister’s comments and was also investigating the cause of the accident, Reuters news agency reports.
Rescue efforts have focused on trying to pump out the floodwater, which followed heavy rain, he said, speaking on condition of anonymity.
‘They’ve been trapped underground for two weeks,’ said Andre Bamouni, a relative of one of the eight.
‘We have no news,’ he said. “We have no information about the search or the chances of finding them alive.” He said the situation looked critical because their chances of survival “are falling day by day, but we can (still) hope.”
Prime Minister Albert Ouedraogo, in a visit to the site at the weekend, blamed “irresponsibility” by those in charge at the mine. He alleged that several days before the accident, ‘dynamite was used on the open-air (part of the) mine, which weakened the (underground) gallery and enabled the flooding.’
Ouedraogo said there would be an inquiry to find out who was responsible. Mine officials would not be allowed to leave the country in the meanwhile, he added. The families of six miners have filed cases against persons unknown for attempted manslaughter, endangering life and failing to assist a person in danger.
Africa Today News, New York