Gold Mine blast kills at least 60 in Burkina Faso
Gold Mine blast kills at least 60 in Burkina Faso
About 60 people were killed and dozens more wounded on Monday in an explosion at an informal gold mining site in southwest Burkina Faso, state television reported, citing local officials.
Local officials and hospital staff said that an explosion in southwest Burkina Faso occurred at a makeshift gold-panning site when a stock of dynamite somehow ignited
Burkina Faso is home to some major gold mines run by international companies, but also to hundreds of smaller, informal sites that operate without oversight or regulation.
Children frequently work in these so-called artisanal mines accidents are common.Burkina Faso one of the world's least developed countries, is under attack from Islamist groups linked to al Qaeda and Islamic State who seek control of mining sites as a means to fund their violent attacks.