Gold mine collapse in Sudan causes dozens of fatalities

At least 60 to 82 people were killed following the collapse of the Al-Zahra gold mine, located in a remote area north of the city of Al-Nuhud in West Kordofan, Sudan. The disaster, which took place on September 16, 2026, has left an unknown number of workers buried under the rubble as rescue teams work through difficult conditions. While local authorities have reported a death toll of at least 82, survivors participating in the rescue efforts suggest at least 60 have died, with many more still missing.

The incident occurs amidst the ongoing conflict between the Sudanese military and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF), which began in April 2023. This war has devastated the national economy, leaving nearly 20 million people facing acute food insecurity. Due to widespread unemployment, many citizens have turned to precarious, small-scale, and often illegal mining operations to survive. Such mines are frequently unregulated and prone to structural failures.

Investigations into the specific cause of the structural collapse are currently underway. Recovery operations remain active at the site, and authorities fear that the final death toll may rise significantly as search efforts continue in the remote location.