Rescue efforts for persons trapped in a collapsed mining pit at Kasotie in the Atwima Mponua District have ended with seven dead bodies retrieved and five rescued victims in critical condition.

According to sources within the community, only four of the twelve people are known in the community.

The abandoned pits, which have been taken over by the illegal miners, collapsed on Wednesday night (October 1) when the illegal miners were at work.

On the blind side of the authority, galamseyers at Kasotie are said to operate only at night.

But they were unfortunate on the said day when the mining pits collapsed on them.

The National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO), in collaboration with other emergency services and local volunteers, led the rescue operation.

After hours of search, the team has abandoned the mission after retrieving the twelve bodies.

District Chief Executive for Atwima Mponua, Ibrahim Isshak, says the incident should serve as a deterrent to illegal miners in the area.

The survivors were immediately transported to Nyinahin government hospital for treatment.

Some residents are terrified by the incident.