Authorities reported on Thursday that a landslide at a gold mine in southern Mali has claimed the lives of approximately 10 people, with many others still missing.

A landslide at a gold mine in southern Mali has resulted in the deaths of around 10 people, with many others still missing, most of whom were women, authorities reported on Thursday. Mali is one of the leading gold producers in Africa.

Gold mining sites in the region are often plagued by deadly landslides, and authorities face significant challenges controlling artisanal mining operations. The incident took place on Wednesday in the village of Danga, where "a landslide trapped a group of gold miners, the majority of whom were women," according to a Facebook post from the governorate of the Koulikoro region.

The victims were trapped in a hole, submerged in muddy water, which caused widespread destruction. Tragically, none of the miners were able to escape, the governorate said. The statement described the landslide as resulting in "several casualties."

Ousmane Diakite, an official from the regional mines department, confirmed to AFP that the provisional death toll was "around 10 dead and some missing." Social media messages, however, suggested the number of fatalities may be higher.

"The situation is certain that there are no survivors," said the mayor of a nearby town, who requested anonymity.

Photos shared by the governorate and on social media depict a large open-air mining site with upturned earth and numerous holes filled with muddy water. The images also show men standing at the edges of the pits, with excavators working below.

The governorate added that no bodies could be recovered due to the dangerous conditions at the site. Muddy waters had engulfed a mechanical excavator, but search efforts continue.

In January 2024, a similar tragedy occurred in the same region when a tunnel collapsed at a gold mining site, killing more than 70 people.