The Al‑Zaraa mine in West Kordofan began to collapse on Tuesday night, when a series of shafts gave way, sending dust and rock tumbling onto the working face.
By dawn, rescuers had pulled bodies from the wreckage, but the exact number remains uncertain, and a further 30–40 miners are feared trapped underground.
Survivor Khair al‑Sayyed Jabara told AFP that the operation lasted through the night, with miners using hand‑sized picks and shovels to dig out rubble.
He added that the lack of heavy machinery hampers progress, and rescuers are calling for bulldozers and excavators to clear the debris.
Since the April 2023 conflict between Sudan’s army and the Rapid Support Forces, the gold sector has financed both sides, driving thousands into artisanal mining amid a crippling economy that leaves nearly 20 million people facing crisis‑level hunger.
The Sudanese government has appealed to the National Red Crescent and international donors for heavy equipment and a UN‑led rescue coalition, with a deadline set for the end of the week.