Burkina: dozens dead in a dynamite explosion on an artisanal gold mine
A gold digger in Burkina Faso (illustrative image) Universal Images Group via Getty Images
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1 min
At least sixty dead on a gold panning site on Monday.
The explosion of a dynamite warehouse on a Gomgombiro gold panning site in Gbomblora, a village located about fifteen kilometers from Gaoua in the South-West region.
Among the victims: many children and women.
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With our correspondent in Ouagadougou
,
Yaya Boudani
It was in the afternoon that a fire broke out in the market located on the Gomgombiro gold panning site.
Very quickly, the fire spread and affected several makeshift shops, including a store where explosives used by gold miners were on display, according to witnesses.
Many people died instantly.
“
When we arrived at the site, the bodies were scattered
”, explains Antoine Sylvanus Douamba, the high commissioner of the province of Poni on the antennas of public television.
Many injured were transported to health centers.
The army came as reinforcements to help the survivors.
Significant material damage was recorded on the site as well.
The images broadcast by the public media show devastated makeshift installations, the remains of crumpled sheet metal, uprooted and thrown trees.
An investigation was opened to locate the exact causes of this explosion.
"
We do not know exactly the type of explosives, but the terrorist track is completely ruled out
," said the prosecutor.
“
Several people have already been arrested
,” according to the prosecution.
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Burkina Faso