A search of the Yetwene diamond mine property in northeastern Angola has turned up the bodies of two workers, bringing to eight the number of men killed during an armed attack. The mine is operated by
About 50 armed men clashed with the mine’s two dozen security personnel in the early hours of Nov. 8 before fleeing with five captives. The gunfight left 16 wounded. Dead are Alan Thomas, 51, and David Boutle, 26, both of Britain, Antonio de Vasconcelos of Portugal, and three Angolans. Missing and assumed to be captives of the attackers are Jason Pope, 26, of Britain, Douglas Larsen of South Africa, two Filipinos and one unidentified man. No Canadians are among the casualties.
The attackers are believed to be rebels from the National Union for the Total Independence of Angola, which is based in neighboring Democratic Republic of Congo.
Bruce Walsham, chief executive officer of the company, flew to the country days after the attack to meet with Angolan government officials in an attempt to secure the release of the hostages.
The mine itself suffered little damage, mostly to vehicles and communications systems, but had not been reopened at presstime. Equipment and reserves are said to be intact, and the mine’s diamond inventory has since been removed.
The attack is the second on Canadian miners in the country this year. In May, bandits ambushed vehicles owned by SouthernEra Resources, killing the company’s chief of mining operations.
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