ANKARA 

At least 50 people were killed in a gold mine collapse in northeastern Sudan, local media reported on Sunday.

The mine collapsed on Saturday in Howaid desert in the Nile River State, the local newspaper Alrakoba said.

Witnesses said large volumes of sand and rocks collapsed on miners while working at a rudimentary site known for unregulated mining activity.

Rescue efforts were hampered by the absence of heavy machinery and professional rescue teams slowing the retrieval of dozens of bodies from the rubble, they added.

A similar collapse occurred at the same location two months ago, causing injuries.

The tragedy has renewed criticism over weak government oversight and poor infrastructure at artisanal mining sites where thousands work under hazardous conditions without formal regulation or safety standards.