A team of journalists accompanying officials from the Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) on an anti-illegal mining operation in the Ashanti Region have been involved in a road accident near Afari, close to Obuasi.

The accident occurred on Friday during an operation targeting illegal mining sites around the Obuasi enclave. The EPA team, supported by security personnel, reportedly came under attack from a group of irate miners at Dadwene, a nearby community, forcing the officials and journalists to retreat for safety.

Eyewitnesses say the situation escalated as the convoy attempted to withdraw from the area. One of the vehicles veered off the road at Afari, resulting in several injuries. Two journalists were said to be in critical condition following the crash.

Among those involved was Ibrahim Abubakar, the Ashanti Regional Correspondent for Media General, who escaped without major injuries.

Another reporter from Adom News, whose name has not yet been disclosed, was also part of the team.

A source close to the EPA operation told MyJoyOnline that the attack and subsequent accident have left several team members traumatised. “It was a frightening scene. The officers and journalists were under real threat before the accident happened,” the source said.

The anti-galamsey operation forms part of the EPA’s renewed efforts to clamp down on illegal mining activities that continue to destroy water bodies and farmlands in the Ashanti Region and other parts of the country.

Local authorities and the police are yet to issue an official statement on the incident, but investigations are said to be underway to identify the perpetrators of the attack and assess the extent of the injuries.