By Guardian Nigeria 01 April 2023 | 6:53 pm Fourteen miners were missing and feared dead in Burundi on Saturday after flash floods swept into a pit where they were searching for gold, the local government administrator told AFP. Fourteen miners were missing and feared dead in Burundi on Saturday after flash floods swept into a pit where they were searching for gold, the local government administrator told AFP. Heavy rain in the Mabayi commune in northwest Burundi on Friday sent torrents of water from a swollen river gushing into a pit mine were they were digging, said Nicodeme Ndahabonyimana, the municipal administrator. The 14 miners “did not have time to get out of the holes,” Ndahabonyimana said. Efforts were underway to pump water from the mine shafts to recover the bodies of the trapped miners, he said, but “there is no longer any chance of finding them alive.” Burundi is rich in gold, precious minerals and rare earths but many mines are unregulated. Four miners were killed in Mabayi working at an unregulated mine just last year, Ndahabonyimana said. In May 2019, nine miners were killed and another 20 injured when an unregulated coltan mine collapsed following torrential rains in northern Burundi. Such incidents occur regularly across the country but local authorities are discouraged from reporting them, civil society activists say. In 2021, Burundi’s government announced it was suspending the operations of several international mining companies, complaining that it was not getting its fair share of income from the country’s mineral wealth. Latest 15 mins ago The Coalition of Yoruba Self-determination Groups, yesterday, condemned the call for an interim government in some quarters after the victory of Senator Bola Ahmed Tinubu of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the presidential election. 15 mins ago TEARFUND recently organised a two-day training for the clerics and other church workers. Held at the Ibru Ecumenical Centre, Agbarha-otor, Delta State, with the theme: “Church And Community Transformation,” the event aimed at enlightening people on how to be free from poverty, live a transformed life and achieve their purpose in Christ Jesus, among others.… 37 mins ago The Muslim Congress (tmc) Papa Ajao Branch, holds Ramadan Public Lecturer on 5th April, 2023. The programme, which is expected to discuss the topic: Duties of the leaders and the led in societal Reformation, is slated for 4.30pm, at 33 Aladesuru/Ogunmefun junction, by Jakande Market, Papa-Ajao, Mushin, Lagos. The guest lecturer is Dr Salaudeen Munirudeen… 43 mins ago Dahwat-ul-Rahmon Dhikir Association is holding its 1444A.H Ramadan lecture and special prayer on Sunday 2nd, April 2023. 1 day ago Aston Villa climbed above Chelsea and into the top half of the Premier League table with a 2-0 win at Stamford Bridge on Saturday.
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