• Two young men go out to dig for gold
• The mine collapsed on top of them

Muhammad Bangura (16) and Yayah Jineh (17) left their homes in Niembadou, Eastern Province, Sierra Leone, hoping to earn some money for their families.

While digging in a mine, the pit collapsed on them, leading to their immediate deaths.

This is the third fatal incident in the mines over four years, with at least five children having died in similar accidents in the area.

Muhammad and Yayah are part of a growing phenomenon, where an increasing number of children leave school to dig for gold in dangerous pits, according to school principals and local activists.

Eastern Province has historically been known for diamond mining, but in recent years, unofficial gold digging has expanded after diamond reserves ran out.