Update: Death toll in mine blast hits 13

At least 13 miners have died after an explosion within the mining concession of Chinese company, Shaanzi Mining Ltd in the Upper East region.

Medical administrator of the Upper East Regional Hospital where bodies of the deceased were deposited confirmed the deaths to Joy News Wednesday.

The tragedy happened Wednesday at dawn while workers of the company based in the Talensi district blasted explosives in an effort to mine.

Eyewitnesses say powerful billows of smoke choked them to death.

Dr. Patrick Atobrah said three miners believed to be illegal miners were brought in dead. Four others died later while receiving treatment.

But in the last hour, five more have died.

A survivor told Joy News, they received prior warning of an impending blast in one of the company’s mining pits but ignored it.

He told Joy News Upper East regional correspondent Albert Sore, an army of illegal miners were convinced the blast would be minor as previous ones have been.

The survivor put their number at about 500. The reporter said he witnessed the thirteenth miner being wheeled to the mortuary in the last hour.

The company has warned illegal miners to stay off their concessions warning of more deaths and injuries.

The safety standards of the company and conditions of work have been questioned. The company was ordered to suspend operations in May 2017.