Bodies of miners killed in Obuasi military clash released to families

Bereaved families of nine local miners who died during a violent confrontation with military officers at Anglogold Obuasi Gold Mine have gathered at the Obuasi Government Hospital to take delivery of the bodies.

The hospital authorities are finalising autopsy on the bodies before they are released to police for subsequent release to the families for the necessary rites.

Hospital authorities have confirmed a total of nine deaths, with eight injured persons sent to the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital.

There has been a heavy deployment of military officers at all entry and exit points of the mines.

Public and private schools in Obuasi, however, remain closed as authorities of the Ghana Education Service continue to monitor the security situation.

The incident occurred late on Saturday, January 18, 2025, around 11:00 PM, when a group of approximately 60 illegal miners breached the security fence and attempted to access the Deep Decline area of the mine.

The miners were reportedly armed with locally manufactured rifles, pump-action guns, knives, axes, gas cylinders, and other tools, and opened fire on the military personnel when confronted.

In self-defence, the soldiers returned fire, resulting in the fatalities with other illegal miners seriously injured. The remaining individuals fled the scene.

One soldier sustained injuries after being hit by pellets from a pump-action gun but has since received treatment. The soldiers retrieved six pump-action BB cartridges at the site.