A tragic mine collapse in Mumbwa, Zambia has killed at least ten people. This highlights the dangers of the mining sector.
A new tragedy strikes Zambia. On Monday, a deadly collapse in a mine in the southwest of the country claimed the lives of at least ten people, a death toll that could rise further. This tragedy recalls, once again, the dangerous conditions in which many miners operate in this nation rich in mining resources, but where accidents are frequent.
A deadly mine in the Mumbwa district
The accident occurred at a mine located in Mumbwa district, an area known for its intense mining activities. According to initial information provided by the Central Police Commissioner, Charity Munganga Chanda, miners were extracting when the earth collapsed on them, burying them under tons of rocks and rubble.
Nine bodies were extracted from beneath the decline, and six miners were rescued alive. However, one of them did not survive his injuries, bringing the death toll to ten. Authorities are still searching for survivors and trying to determine the exact number of workers present at the time of the disaster.
High-risk working conditions
Zambia, rich in mineral resources, is a country where mineral extraction plays a crucial role in the economy. However, this wealth comes with a heavy price: safety in the mines often leaves something to be desired, and tragic accidents like that of Mumbwa are frequent.
This tragedy comes just a few weeks after the collapse of another gravel mine at the end of August, which cost the lives of eight people. In addition, last November, nearly thirty miners died in the collapse of a copper mine. These events highlight the urgency of reforms to improve safety standards in this vital but dangerous sector.
A reaction from the authorities expected
Faced with the repetition of these accidents, the question of the safety of miners is becoming more and more pressing in Zambia. Local and national authorities are often accused of not doing enough to prevent these tragedies. Although investigations are systematically opened after each collapse, few concrete changes are observed on the ground.
Mining workers’ unions, as well as several human rights organizations, are calling for better regulation of the sector and increased protection for workers. For many, it is unacceptable that human lives are lost in such perilous conditions, due to the lack of secure infrastructure and adequate means of prevention.
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