Published on : 19/05/2022 – 06:40
Time seems to stand still in Perkoa, the village that is home to the zinc mine site where eight people are still missing. All recreational activities are suspended. All eyes are on the mine, where everyone is waiting for news. In schools, teachers have to deal with questions from their students.
With our correspondent in Burkina Faso, Yaya Boudani
In Perkoa, the village that houses the zinc mine, life has been slowing down since April 16, when a flood occurred, blocking at nearly 720 meters deep eight miners : six Burkinabè, a Tanzanian and a Zambian. In the village, no more rejoicing or recreational activities.
At school, teachers deal with students’ questions about the situation of missing minors. Mrs. Tondé, born Assita Sangaré, teacher, confides: “ It is desolation. We are in the school setting. One way or another, this event cannot but affect the work. We try to cheer them up, to bring their spirits back to class because it’s not the end of the year yet. »
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For the very old people living in the villages around the mine, this is the first time that such a tragedy has occurred on a mineral exploitation site. Philipe Bayala, one of them, explains: ” The flood took us by surprise. We were really surprised. There may be landslides, explosions on mining sites. But this is the first time that we are witnessing such a phenomenon, even our ancestors never experienced it. »
Whether they are from Perkoa, Sanguié or Bonyolo, the people are still waiting for answers. During this time, the evacuation of water continues from the side of the mine, where the emergency services have found an empty refuge room Tuesday, May 17.