Khartoum: Five miners have tragically lost their lives following a gold mine collapse in eastern Sudan, as rescue operations intensify to save more than 25 individuals still trapped underground.

According to Anadolu Agency, the Sudan Doctors Network reported that the incident took place at a mining site in the Keliti area, situated in the Ganab and Aulib regions of the Red Sea State. Rescue teams have so far retrieved five bodies and transported several injured miners to Port Sudan for medical treatment.

The network emphasized ongoing efforts to rescue those trapped, noting a significant shortage in rescue and emergency equipment. They described the incident as the second collapse within four months, highlighting it as a critical indicator of inadequate safety measures.

The Sudan Doctors Network has called on authorities for immediate intervention to assist in the rescue operations and to ensure the availability of resources to prevent further casualties. As of now, there has been no official comment from the authorities regarding the incident.

Earlier this year, a similar tragedy occurred in January when six individuals were killed, and 12 others were injured in a gold mine collapse in South Kordofan state. In Sudan, artisanal mining, which operates under challenging conditions, employs over 2 million people and contributes about 80% of the nation's gold production. Despite its risks, informal mining remains unbanned by the government, which is attempting to regulate the sector that provides employment to many Sudanese.