The Ghana Police Service has initiated a formal investigation into the deaths of two individuals discovered at an abandoned illegal mining location in Dunkwa on Offin. According to reports from 3News and Citi Newsroom, the bodies were found on Wednesday night following alerts from members of the local community. The deceased remain unidentified as of the latest official updates from the Upper Denkyira East Municipal area.
Local authorities stated that the recovery operation involved residents and law enforcement personnel who accessed the deep pit to retrieve the remains. A report by Daily Guide Network indicates that the deceased are suspected to have been involved in small scale mining activities at the site before the incident occurred. Police officials have not yet confirmed if there were signs of physical struggle or if the deaths resulted from a pit collapse.
The bodies were transported to the St. Luke Catholic Hospital morgue located in Dunkwa for preservation and a medical examiner review. GhanaWeb reported that the municipal security council has expressed concern over the continued presence of these hazardous pits which pose a threat to public safety. Officials are currently awaiting the autopsy results to clarify whether the incidents were accidental or involve foul play.
Law enforcement officers have increased patrols around the peripheries of known illegal mining areas in the municipality. The Dunkwa Police Command according to local media accounts is urging residents with missing relatives to report to the station for possible identification of the deceased. No arrests have been made in connection with the discovery as investigations proceed under the supervision of the regional command.