Seven people have been confirmed dead after an illegal mining pit in which they worked caved in on them in Ghana’s Eastern Region.

It is unclear what caused the collapse of the pit, but some community members suggest the heavy rainfall recorded in most parts of the country on Monday is a contributing factor.

Throughout the night, efforts were underway to rescue about 17 others who remained trapped under the rubble with locals helping with rescue efforts using anything they could lay hands on.

WADR’s Accra correspondent Atiewin Mbillah-Lawson completes the story