Hopes fade after Central African Republic gold mine collapse kills dozens

Hopes of finding survivors at a collapsed gold mine in Central African Republic were fading Thursday, two days after a disaster that local officials and the Red Cross said killed more than 100 people, although the government put the death toll at 49. Thirty-five Central Africans, 13 Cameroonians and two Chadians died in the collapse, Mines Minister Rufin Benam Beltoungou told independent broadcaster Radio Ndeke Luka. His toll was significantly lower than figures provided by local officials, witnesses and relatives of victims, who have said more than 100 people died.