A pit collapse at an illegal mining site in Kono District on Thursday has claimed the lives of four people and left three others seriously injured, the National Disaster Management Agency (NDMA) reports.
The NDMA confirmed that the tragedy occurred on the afternoon of December 18 in Kumao Community, Nimikoro Chiefdom, where a group of miners working illegally were trapped when the pit gave way.
The four deceased, all from the local Kumao Community, have been identified by authorities as Abdul Bangura, Fatmata Bangura, Admansay Thullah, and Sampa Kargbo. Their bodies were recovered and have been returned to their families.
The three injured survivors—named as Abdul Koroma, Abass Fullah, and Hawa Fullah—were rescued from the site. They were rushed to the Kono Government Hospital in Koidu, where they are currently receiving treatment.
Following the incident, the NDMA immediately deployed its Eastern Region team to the site. They worked alongside the Office of National Security, the Sierra Leone Police, and local community volunteers in the recovery effort.
In response to the disaster, the NDMA has ordered the immediate closure of the mining site. The agency also announced it is forming an investigation committee to determine the cause of the collapse.
The NDMA expressed its deep c
