Tragic Gold Mine Collapse Claims Multiple Lives in Zimbabwe, Rescue Mission in Full Swing
Tragedy strikes as Zimbabwean rescue teams tirelessly strive to save lives in the aftermath of a gold mine collapse Illegal mining activities claim the lives of at least 10 individuals, while efforts to locate survivors persist
Rescue teams in Zimbabwe are still combing through the debris, in a bid to find any survivors, following the collapse of a disused gold mine in Chegutu district. Tragically, at least 10 illegal miners lost their lives in the incident. According to provincial official Marian Chombo, it is estimated that there were approximately 42 artisanal miners working underground at Bay Horse Mine when the collapse occurred on Friday.
A rescued artisanal miner is carried from a pit as retrieval efforts proceed for trapped illegal gold miners in Kadoma, Zimbabwe, February 16, 2019. REUTERS/Philimon Bulawayo
PHILIMON BULAWAYO/REUTERS
24 bodies recovered from flooded gold mine in Zimbabwe
According to local reports, 21 individuals have been rescued while an additional 10 are thought to be trapped in the debris. The reports also confirm that there have been 10 fatalities. State media reported that some of the deceased were discovered trapped under rocks.
Zimbabwe's Vice President, Constantino Chiwenga, announced on Saturday that the accident may have claimed the lives of up to 13 individuals. He further stated that the government would provide assistance in covering the funeral expenses for the deceased.
Located in Zimbabwe's Mashonaland West province, the mine is situated 62 miles west of Harare, the capital of Zimbabwe. According to Chombo, the miners entered the mine through unofficial entry points, and the mine is believed to be around 150 meters deep. Chombo appealed to mining companies in the region to provide assistance in the ongoing rescue efforts.
Artisanal miners are seen during a rescue mission at the collapsed mine shaft.
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"The mines have expertise and other machines and equipment that could be helpful," she told reporters.
Artisanal mining is prevalent in Zimbabwe, a country abundant in extensive reserves of gold and diamonds. The occurrence of accidents at unauthorized mining sites is also frequent in this southern African nation.
During 2019, the remains of nearly twenty illegal gold miners were recovered from a flooded mine located in a rural settlement within the Mashonaland West province.
