Dozens killed in gold mining site blast in Burkina Faso

 

A strong explosion near a gold mining site in southwestern Burkina Faso killed dozens of people and injured more than 100 others the national broadcaster, RTB reported.

The provisional toll was provided by regional authorities following the blast in the village of Gbomblora, RTB reported. Monday’s explosion was believed to have been caused by chemicals used to treat gold that was stocked at the site.

“I saw bodies everywhere. It was horrible,” Sansan Kambou, a forest ranger who was at the site during the explosion, told The Associated Press by phone.

The first blast happened around 2 p.m., with more explosions following as people ran for their lives, he said.

Mining experts have said that small-scale mines have fewer regulations than their industrial counterparts, leading to more dangerous conditions, the AP reported.

“The limited regulation of the artisanal and small-scale mining sector contributes to increased risks that can be very dangerous, including the use of explosives which are often smuggled into the country and used illegally,” said Marcena Hunter, senior analyst at Swiss-based think tank Global Initiative.