UPDATE: Collapsed mining pit victims identified

June 14 2026

The miners of the St. Elizabeth Backdam mining pit collapse have been identified.

The victims are, 32-year-old Franky Hussain of the North West District, Region One, and 38-year-old Brazilian national Neunes Neunes Da Silva.

According to police, the incident occurred at approximately 3:23 p.m. yesterday, while the men were working in a mining pit estimated to be about 60 feet deep. Sections of the eastern and western walls of the pit reportedly gave way, sending tonnes of earth into a marac hole where workers were operating.

Several workers managed to escape the collapsing pit, while a third worker operating equipment in the area narrowly escaped with his life.

However, Hussain and Da Silva became trapped beneath the debris. An excavator was also buried during the collapse.

Information from the mining site indicates that the operation was fully licensed and had the necessary approvals, safety measures and engineering systems in place. Persons familiar with the incident said the cave-in originated some distance away before extending into the area where the men were working.

Recovery efforts are continuing as workers, the mine operator, police and representatives of the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission work to retrieve the bodies.

Investigations into the fatal incident are ongoing.