An explosion struck a mining site in Burkina Faso, known for its rapidly growing gold mining industry
A powerful explosion near a gold mining site in Burkina Faso has killed at least 59 people, according to media reports citing witnesses and “regional authorities.” Over 100 people were reportedly injured in the blast.
The explosion occurred on Monday afternoon in the village of Gbomblora in southern Burkina Faso. The blast is believed to have been triggered by chemicals being used to treat gold at what reportedly was a makeshift mining site, though local officials have told state media the actual cause is not yet known, according to Reuters.
One witness, a forest ranger named Samson Kambou who was on site during the explosion, described seeing bodies “everywhere” following the blast.
“I saw bodies everywhere. It was horrible,” she told AP.
Images of the destruction at the site after the explosion have been posted to social media, showing leveled trees and equipment and bodies being covered with mats.
#Burkina l’explosion d’un site d’orpaillage à #Gbomblora, localité située au Sud Ouest du pays fait 59 morts et plusieurs dizaines de blessés grave. L’explosion serait due aux produits chimiques utilisés dans l’exploitation minière. pic.twitter.com/y2FMMt3sz2
SAN SALVADOR, Feb 21 (IPS) – A struggle for the defense of their territories waged by indigenous Maya Q’eqchi’ communities in eastern Guatemala could set a historic precedent for Latin America’s native peoples because it would ensure not only their right to control their lands but also their natural resources, denied for centuries.
Lockheed Martin and Raytheon Technologies have drawn Beijing’s ire for supplying weapons to Taipei
China has imposed sanctions on two major American arms manufacturers, Lockheed Martin and Raytheon Technologies. The decision, which was announced by Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbin on Monday, targets the two companies over their involvement in the “supply of American weapons to Taiwan.”
The measures seek to “protect the sovereignty and security interests” of Beijing, the diplomat explained, as China considers Taiwan to be part of its territory.
The official stopped short of clarifying what those punitive measures would involve and how they could potentially affect Lockheed Martin and Raytheon Technologies.
China has called on the US to “stick to the One-China principle” and “stop selling weapons to Taipei.” Beijing also stressed that it would “continue taking all the necessary measures based on how the situation develops, and will resolutely defend its sovereignty and security interests.”
Beijing’s decision to impose sanctions on the American companies comes two weeks after Washington approved a possible sale of $100 million worth of military equipment and services to Taiwan to “sustain, maintain, and improve” its Patriot missile defense system.
A statement by the US Defense Security Cooperation Agency named Raytheon Technologies and Lockheed Martin as the main contractors.
Taiwan’s Foreign Ministry said it “highly welcomed” Washington’s decision “in the face of China’s continued military expansion and provocative actions.”
China, for its part, vowed to take “appropriate and forceful measures” in response. When asked by journalists what those measures would be, the Foreign Ministry’s Zhao Lijian urged them to just “wait and see.”
In fact, back in October 2020, China already imposed sanctions on Lockheed Martin, Boeing Defense, Raytheon, and several other US companies which it believed were involved in the sale of weapons to Taiwan.
Beijing has made it clear that it has not ruled out a military option to bring the region under its control.
