Rescue efforts are under way in a remote village in northern Ethiopia where more than 20 artisanal miners are trapped inside a cave.
It’s been three days since a narrow cave collapsed on the miners in the Delanta district.
Local officials are uncertain about the exact number of the trapped miners, who were looking for precious opal gemstones.
Local authorities have told the BBC that the area's steep landscape has complicated their rescue efforts.
Hundreds of locals are trying to dig openings for the miners, as the village’s landscape has made it difficult to get support from machines.
Rescue attempts have so far been unsuccessful, but the authorities remain hopeful of finding survivors.
The officials said that in a previous incident, a miner was found alive after he was buried inside the cave for seven days.
"We, residents, have been working on shifts, day and night, for the past few days to remove the rocks but it is very hard, says Tesfaye Agazh in Ethiopia's Delanta district.
He is among hundreds of of locals trying desperately to free more than 20 miners who became trapped in a cave three days ago while looking for opals.
"Days on, there is still a lot to dig and it doesn’t seem like we are getting any closer," Mr Tesfaye tells the BBC.
"We are hoping we will get survivors but we know it is a mere chance.
"We are not stopping until we find them whether alive or dead."
Latest Stories
-
Samson’s Take: Arrogance of Power, Shameful Policing
12 mins -
Burnley score late to draw with Manchester United at Old Trafford
3 hours -
Bayer Leverkusen extend unbeaten run to 46 games after draw with Stuttgart
3 hours -
Chelsea come from two goals down to draw against Aston Villa
3 hours -
Andre Ayew scores in Le Havre’s 3-3 draw with PSG
3 hours -
GPL 2023/24: Kotoko draw with Medeama; Samartex go 7 points clear of Nations FC
3 hours -
Mahama cuts sod for construction of new multipurpose Jakpa palace in Damongo
3 hours -
NSS management assists Papao fire victims
4 hours -
EXPLAINER: Will dumsor end soon?
4 hours -
IMANI Africa takes on EC, accuses it of lying and publishing half truths
5 hours -
Manasseh Azure calls for investigation and prosecution of those responsible for GRA/SML contract
5 hours -
Kwesi Atuahene: Ghana’s health capital depends on HealthTech – Africa Center for Digital Transformation
6 hours -
13 signs your wife is planning on leaving you and you have no idea
6 hours -
IMANI Africa: Ghana’s EC’s dangerous and pathological conduct
6 hours -
If I speak there will be fire – Salah on Klopp row
7 hours