On 6 January 2019, it was reported that a mine shaft in the Kohistan District of Badakhshan Province, Afghanistan had collapsed, killing 30 people.[1] The makeshift shaft was reportedly being used to mine gold.[2] Afghan government sources noted that the mining operation was unregulated and illegal, and that most of the miners were local villagers trying to supplement their incomes through rudimentary gold mining.[3] It was reported that at least 7 other people were injured.[4] It was also reported that locals managed to only rescue 13 people while many others including children died.[5]
