The bodies of at least 12 gold miners have been recovered following a mudslide in an abandoned gold mine in Kithinian, a gold mining town east of Guinea's capital, Conakry.

Local authorities say they fear more bodies remain trapped underground but say they aren't sure how many.

The mine is understood to have been recently abandoned by a large, multinational company. Since they left, residents have flocking to the site in search of gold.

Illegal miners have been told to quit the area within the next 48 hours. The authorities say people will be removed forcibly by the military if they refuse to leave by then.