Wassa-Akropong (W/R), April 24, GNA- Hundreds of illegal miners, also known as "galamsey" operators, on Friday held a funeral at Wassa-Akropong for nine of their colleagues who died in an accident at Wassa-Dadieso near Wassa-Akropong about a week ago.

The nine were trapped to death when the pit in which they were working collapsed killing eight of them including three women instantly while one died later at the local government hospital. The mourners, dressed in traditional mourning cloths were joined by friend and relatives of the deceased who sang and danced in their memory and also prayed for their souls.

When the Ghana News Agency visited the site of the disaster on Friday some "galamsey" operators were seen busily working in the area. Mr. Joseph Osei Aboagye one of the operators told the GNA that "galamsey" was the only means of livelihood for many people particularly the youth in the area.

"We are aware of the risks involved but there is occupational hazards in every field of endeavour, so we will not say that because of this recent accident we will not go to work". "We believe in God Almighty and pray for guidance before we start work", he added.

Mr. Eric Coffie Rivers, Secretary of the Ghana National Association of Small Scale Miners latter told the GNA that all efforts to check illegal mining by the Association had proved futile.

He said apart from the fact that illegal mining had had adverse effects on the environment and the health of the people; an estimated 880 youths were engaged in the job in the area.

Mr. Rivers appealed to the government and other stakeholders in the mining industry to help to streamline the activities of illegal miners to make the job less hazardous.