By Emmanuel Koffa
Two men, Richard Saba and Stephen Doe, lost their lives in a tragic accident at a gold mining site in Bafowean, Dorbor District, Grand Kru County.
The incident occurred on Wednesday, March 18, 202, around 2 p.m. when the two men were allegedly buried underneath. According to reports, one Franco Togba, 45, a resident of Sasstown, notified authorities that his brother, Richard Saba, had been involved in an accident at the mining site.
Shortly following the report, a police team, led by officer Leon Q. Acquah, promptly responded to the scene.
Upon arrival, officers found Richard Saba lying face down in a large gold pit.
Initial investigations revealed that one of the victims, Stephen Doe, was rushed to a clinic in Nyankunpo, where he was later pronounced dead.
Police have taken five individuals as persons of interest in connection with the incident.
Lawrence Williams, 29, Jerry Chebortoh, 44, and Patrick N. Weah, 29, all residents of Baforwhen, told authorities that they were working on the gold mining field when a pile of dirt collapsed on Saba and Doe.
The mining field is owned by S. Taryee Doe, 52, and Jerome N. Coleman, 51.
One narrative claimed that attempts to rescue the victims were unsuccessful.
Both Messrs. Doe and Coleman confirmed the incident,
the two men told investigators that their workers had begun operations at around 9 a. m. like they do normally, but they were later alerted that an accident had occurred.
The Dorbor District Coroner convened a 15-member jury who examined the circumstances surrounding the deaths.
Their findings proved no foul play involved.
Following that, families of the deceased requested that the bodies be released for burial.
Meanwhile, those police invited as persons of interest in connection to the incident have been transferred to Barclayville for further investigation.
This incident underscored the ongoing safety concerns in gold mining operations in the region.
Authorities have called for stricter adherence to safety protocols to prevent similar tragedies in the future.