One person detained in the investigation into explosion at informal gold mine in Burkina Faso

 

Officials in Burkina Faso say one person has been detained in the investigation into Monday’s deadly explosion at an informal gold mining site.

The blast happened in the rural commune of Gbomblora in the southwestern province of Poni. At least 63 people died as a result.

Province high commissioner Antone Doumaba visited the blast site on Tuesday,

“When we arrived, the bodies were scattered, with the 22 Commando Infantry Regiment officers, who came as a security reinforcement, we had to first cordon off the site then call on volunteers to help us evacuate the bodies and put them on one side to allow the identification of the victims.”

Burkina Faso is home to some major gold mines run by international companies, but also has hundreds of smaller, informal sites that operate without oversight or regulation.

Accidents are frequent at these informal mines.