Guyanese and Brazilian feared dead after mining pit collapse

Two miners are trapped beneath debris after a mining pit cave-in at St. Elizabeth Backdam, Potaro, Region Eight, police said.

Franky Hussain, 32, of North West District, Region One, and Neunes Neunes Da Silva, 38, a Brazilian national, were working in a pit approximately 60 feet deep when sections of the eastern and western walls collapsed on Saturday at around 15:23hrs.

Other workers in the pit managed to escape; however, Hussain and Da Silva were caught beneath the fallen debris, which also buried an excavator.

The owner of the mining operation and workers are presently making efforts to recover the two men. Police ranks, along with representatives of the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission, are on the ground assisting.

Investigations are ongoing.