In southwest Mali, the death toll from an accident at an artisanal gold mine last week has increased to more than 70, as reported by state radio on Thursday.
The fatalities resulted from a shaft collapsing on Friday at an artisanal gold mining site in the Kangaba Cercle in Mali’s southwestern Koulikoro Region.
The mines ministry initially reported over 40 deaths on Wednesday, but they stated that this number was not final.
After a government delegation was sent to the area on Thursday, state radio announced that the death toll had risen to over 70, which includes one woman.
Reporter Tiemoko Diallo contributed to this story, with writing by Sofia Christensen and editing by Alison Williams and Mark Potter.