10 miners perish in Zambian pit
10 miners have now been confirmed dead following the collapse of a pit where they were conducting mining activities in central Zambia’s Mumbwa district on October 7, 2024.
Zambia’s Central Province Police Commissioner, Charity Munganga Chanda said the tragic incident happened early Monday, October 7, when several persons whose number was unknown went to conduct mining activities at the pit.
“While they were mining, the earth collapsed on them. Rescuers saved six miners with injuries. They also pulled out nine bodies . Unfortunately one of the six survivors succumbed to his injuries”. She said in a statement.
Charity Munganga Chanda added that efforts to rescue any remaining miners trapped in the debris were still underway.
“On our part, we are working with other authorities to ascertain the exact number of miners working in the collapsed pit.” The commissioner said.
The search for possible victims continued on Tuesday.
In the meantime, President Hakainde Hichilema qualified the tragedy as sad. He expressed regret that the lives of citizens perished and kept perishing as a result of illegal mining activities in the country.
He extended his condolences to families of the deceased persons and quick recovery to the five injured survivors, under medical attention.
Source: MEHR News Agency
