Environmental Reporter
Tragedy struck at Homesteak Mine (Globe and Phoenix) in Kwekwe, where six bodies were recovered following a collapse of mine dumps while the miners were working underground.
The incident occurred recently, and the victims are believed to be artisanal miners who had been displaced from another site in Amaveni just days prior.
Recovery Efforts
Fortune Mupungu, the chairperson of the Kwekwe Civil Protection Unit (CPU) and District Development Coordinator (DDC), confirmed the recovery of the bodies. Upon receiving reports of the accident, the CPU mobilized resources, including graders and JCB machinery, to assist in the rescue efforts. Mupungu stated,
“When we got there we found the victims covered by mine dumps… six bodies were retrieved and it’s confirmed that those are the only people who were underground when the accident happened”.
Investigation and Next Steps
The situation is now under the jurisdiction of the police and health department, with the CPU preparing reports to seek further assistance. Mupungu emphasized that they verified with the community and other miners to confirm that no additional individuals were trapped in the mine at the time of the collapse.
This incident highlights the ongoing risks faced by artisanal miners, particularly in areas where safety regulations may be lacking.
Zim GBC News©2024