Authorities in the Central African Republic have closed an artisanal gold mine near the Cameroon border after a landslide killed at least 49 people, according to the official toll. Local sources say the death toll could be around 100, with many miners still missing.

The Central African Republic has temporarily shut the Zamboye artisanal gold mine following a deadly landslide that buried miners earlier this week.

Mines Minister Rufin Benam-Beltoungou visited the site on Wednesday and put the official death toll at 49. The victims included 34 Central Africans, 13 Cameroonians and two Chadians, according to the Mines Ministry.

Seven injured people were taken to a hospital in Baboua, about 50 kilometres from the mining site.

Despite the official toll, local sources say around 100 people may have died, with many still trapped beneath the rubble.

Roger Bana Nzala travelled overnight from Bouar to Zamboye after learning that his brother was in danger. He said the family reached the mine early in the morning but could not recover his body.

“We weren’t able to find our brother; he is still in the ground, he is buried in the ground,” he said. “In the end, we are forced to return empty-handed.”

The family had hoped to bring the body back to Bouar for burial but returned without it.

Access to the mine was barred on Thursday as authorities closed the site and reinforced security around the area.

Rescue operations were suspended because the mine continued to collapse and heavy rains had flooded lower sections of the pit, making recovery efforts increasingly dangerous.

Security reinforcements, including personnel from the Russian paramilitary group Wagner, were deployed to the area.