The National Disaster Management Agency (NDMA) has confirmed that four people lost their lives while three others sustained injuries following the collapse of a mining pit in Kumao Community, Nimikoro Chiefdom, Kono District.
According to the agency, the incident happened on Thursday, December 18, 2025, at an illegal mining site. The victims, identified as Abdul Bangura, Fatmata Bangura, Adamansay Thullah and Sampa Kargbo, were reportedly engaged in unauthorized mining activities when the pit gave way.
NDMA disclosed that the bodies of the deceased were retrieved on Friday after a prolonged search and rescue operation involving the agency, the Sierra Leone Police, the Office of National Security (ONS), and local community volunteers.
Three other miners who were injured in the incident were rushed to the Kono Government Hospital, where they are currently receiving medical care.
In response to the tragedy, the NDMA has ordered the immediate closure of the mining site to avert further loss of life.
The agency also announced the formation of an investigative committee to determine the cause of the collapse and to establish whether mining and safety regulations were violated.
Illegal mining continues to pose serious safety risks in Kono District, with several fatal incidents recorded in recent years, particularly during the rainy season.
Authorities have once again cautioned communities against engaging in unregulated mining and have called for strict compliance with safety guidelines.
The NDMA has urged members of the public to report illegal mining operations and to support government efforts aimed at preventing similar disasters in the future.
