At least 2 persons are reportedly feared dead in Grand Cape Mount county following a landslide which took place about 1:00PM EST (6:00pm Liberian time) on May 4, 2020.
Liberia Public Radio contributor Osman Nyei in Grand Cape said the landslide took place in the twon of Masaakpaoh Tewor District, Grand Cape Mount County.
He said so far only two bodies have been recovered from the debris while a massive search are underway for more people believed to have been trapped underground.
According to eyewitnesses the towns have been experiencing influx of young people from various towns around Grand Cape Mount and nearby towns alone the Sierra Leone, Liberian boarder in search of mineral such as gold and diamond.
Our reporter said the county which is a predominantly muslim population is mourning the deaths of the those killed by the mudslide as prayers are been held after which a mass burial is expected to be carried later on Tuesday constant with the Islamic law.
Our reporter said the mine which is mainly operated by a Chinese mining company has in recent time see influx of illegal miners from neighboring counties in western Liberia.
The Liberia National Police, along with a team from the Ministry Of Internal Affairs and the National Disaster Management ,including the Liberia National Red Cross and the Grand Cape Mount County Health team, were working with local youths in searching for more bodies from the rubble.
Latest investigation
Preliminary investigations from the Ministries of mines, Internal Affairs and the National Disaster Management said so far four persons have believed to gone into the mine.
Deputy Information Minister Eugene Fargon told State Radio late evening show on Tuesday May 5, 2020 that the four persons had gone in the absence of the original mine owner to steal grovel when the disaster occurred.
In 1982, at least 55 people were killed by a mudslide near the town of Mano River Kongo after an iron ore mine operated by a German firm collapsed following heavy downpour of rain.
Grand Cape Mount is rich in diamond which has attracted many people especially young people from Sierra Leone and around Liberia.
This is the second mining disaster in recent time in Liberia. In February 2019 about 40 young illegal miners were trapped at a mine in Gbonapea near the city of Tapita in lower Nimba County.
18 one the 40 people were killed were discovered from the mine.
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