More than 100 killed in gold mine collapse in Central African Republic

In short:

More than 100 people have been killed after a gold mine collapsed in the Central African Republic.

People remain missing and trapped and the death toll is expected to rise.

What's next?

An investigation has been opened to determine the cause of the collapse, identify the victims and establish any potential criminal liability.

The death toll from a gold mine collapse in a western part of Central African Republic (CAR) has risen to more than 100 as the desperate search for survivors continues.

The low-tech, artisanal gold mine collapsed in the village of Zamboye in the Nana-Mambere prefecture earlier this week.

Zamboye youth council member Bertrand Be Yangué said people remained missing and others were trapped under the rubble.

"Finding them alive would be a miracle," he said.

" We are saddened and heartbroken to see young men and women perish after coming to the mines to save their families from despair.

An investigation to identify the victims and those responsible for operating the site is underway, the prosecutor at the Baboua sub-prefecture court said in a statement.

The investigation will seek to establish what caused the collapse and any potential criminal liability.

Footage of the incident showed hundreds of people gathered near the mine prior to the collapse.

The crowd scattered as a wall of dirt flowed down the rocky terrain towards a group of people gathered below.

Miners, mostly young men and women covered in mud, attempted to pull survivors from the pit while dozens of others were scattered around the expansive site, some shouting for help.