In a Sierra Leonean village, the recent deaths of two teenage boys, 16-year-old Mohamed Bangura and 17-year-old Yayah Jenneh, from a collapsed gold mining pit have sparked grief and disbelief. This incident marks the third fatality involving children in mining accidents in the region over four years, highlighting the trend of children leaving school to engage in dangerous artisanal mining for financial support. Local families, facing poverty, often encourage their children to mine despite the risks, as formal employment opportunities are scarce. The government acknowledges the issue and claims to be addressing the challenges while the community continues to mourn the loss of young lives.
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