Five people have died at Anyafuri Gyaman in the Upper Denkyira West District after an illegal mining pit caved in on them.

Thursday's incident occurred when they were prospecting for gold in the Central Regional town.

About 20 of the miners were busy mining at the site when the incident suddenly occurred and trapped five.

Police say two of them died instantly while the rest were rushed to two separate hospitals for medical attention.

Upper Denkyira East District Police Commander, DSP Edmond Jones Afutu said two died on arrival at Dunkwa government hospital while another passed on at Anyanfuri Pentecost Hospital.

The incident has left residents and colleagues miners traumatised.

The bodies have been deposited at the Dunkwa Government Hospital awaiting identification by relatives.

DSP Jones Afutu further advised residents to stay away from such sites to prevent the recurrence of such incidents.