At least 15 gold prospectors died in a Suriname mine disaster

The government declared national mourning for two days. The country’s flags will be flown at half-mast tomorrow and Friday.

President Chan Santokhi said on Monday that a column collapsed at the Zijin Gold Company’s site. It is now clear that the excavators were working outdoors, under the foot of the mountain in which they excavated. This part came loose and crushed the guys.

Recovering victims

In interviews with Surinamese media, survivors told how they tried to extract living victims. They had to abandon their attempts when another part of the mountain wall fell. 14 bodies were recovered on Monday, and one of the victims was announced dead in hospital yesterday.

Vice President Ronnie Brunswick, who went to the disaster area on Monday, extended his condolences today to the relatives of the victims and the community through the media. He called on gold seekers to leave the area, and urged everyone not to distribute pictures of the dead out of respect for the family.

In sympathy with the victims, their relatives, and the community, the government decided to declare national mourning tomorrow and Friday.

On November 25, Suriname will have been independent for 48 years. As usual, there will be a parade and parade, but other festivities may be canceled or modified.