More than 40 people, mostly women, were killed after an illegal gold mine collapsed in Mali on Saturday. The collapse took place near Kéniéba, in Mali's western, gold-rich Kayes region.

At least 48 people were killed in the collapse of an illegally operated gold mine in western Mali on Saturday, authorities and local sources told Agence France-Presse. Mali is one of Africa's leading gold producers, and mining sites are regularly the scene of deadly landslides and accidents.

A tragic gold mine collapse in Mali has resulted in 48 fatalities, highlighting ongoing issues with illegal mining operations in the region.- Watch Video on English Oneindia

At least 48 people were killed in the collapse of an illegally operated gold mine in western Mali, authorities and local sources told AFP. Mali is one of Africa's leading gold producers, and mining sites are regularly the scene of deadly landslides and accidents.

At least 48 people were killed in the collapse of an illegally operated gold mine in western Mali Saturday, local sources told AFP.

Mali rescue workers have retrieved 49 bodies from an artisanal gold mine that collapsed in the country’s west on Saturday, according to Aliou Diallo, president of the local environmental protection association Wassaton.

At least 48 people have been killed following a landslide at a gold mine in Mali. This tragedy comes just a month after 10 people were killed in a similar gold mine accident in the country's southern region.