Dozens Killed in Mali Gold Mine Collapse

Souleymane Cissé, a pioneering figure in African cinema, has died at the age of 84 in Bamako, Mali, as confirmed by his daughter, Mariam Cissé. She expressed her shock and sorrow over the loss of a man who devoted his life to film and art; the cause of death remains undisclosed. Cissé gained international acclaim in 1987 when his film "Yeelen" won the Jury Prize at the Cannes Film Festival, making him the first sub-Saharan African filmmaker to earn such recognition. His illustrious career lasted over five decades, marked by numerous accolades, including the prestigious Carrosse d'Or awarded by Cannes in 2023. The director's body of work is noted for its complexity and political depth; his first feature film, "Den Muso," was banned in Mali for its controversial subject matter. Cissé was an advocate for government support of the film industry and urged upcoming filmmakers to seek independence from European funding. Just hours before his passing, he appealed to Mali’s military leaders for support in enhancing the nation's cinematic visibility. Mali's Culture Minister, Mamou Daffé, and fellow filmmaker Boubacar Sidibé have paid tribute to Cissé, mourning the loss of "this monument of African cinema.”

At least 48 people were killed in the collapse of an illegally operated gold mine in western Mali, according to local authorities and sources. The incident occurred at a site previously managed by a Chinese company, which has since been abandoned. A police official stated, “The toll today is 48 dead following the collapse,” adding that some victims fell into water, including a woman with her baby. Mali is a significant gold-producing country in Africa, but mining sites frequently experience deadly accidents due to a lack of regulation. An official from the Kenieba goldminers' association corroborated the death toll. The region has witnessed multiple tragedies in the past; a landslide in January resulted in the deaths of at least 10 individuals, while a 2024 tunnel collapse led to over 70 fatalities. The ongoing struggles of authorities to manage unregulated mining activities raise concerns about safety protocols in an industry heavily reliant on artisanal practices amid Mali's impoverished economic landscape.

More than 40 people, primarily women, were killed in a collapse at an illegal gold mine near Kenieba in Mali's Kayes region on Saturday, according to local police reports. The victims had entered open-pit areas left by industrial miners searching for gold scraps when the ground suddenly caved in. A gold miner's union leader confirmed the tragic event to Reuters. This incident marks Mali's second mining disaster in less than a month; at least 10 people perished in a mining tunnel flooding in late January. Sources differ on the death toll from Saturday’s collapse, with local police stating 48 fatalities, while the industry union leader reported 43. A police source also noted that some victims, including a woman with her baby, fell into water during the collapse. Mali, one of the world's largest gold producers, has a history of mining accidents, primarily due to unregulated practices and unsafe mining methods. The incident occurred at a site formerly operated by a Chinese company, as the Malian government faces disputes over revenue-sharing with Barrick Gold, a major mining firm.