ACCRA (AFP) - Rescuers on Thursday (July 6) called off a search for miners who were trapped underground for five days after an illegal goldmine collapsed in western Ghana, declaring 17 dead, a local lawmaker told AFP.

Nsuta representative Williams Adomako said the body of one miner had been brought to the surface but they were unable to reach 16 others.

"Seventeen people have died," he said.

This story is developing.