Race against time to save 15 miners trapped underground after collapse kills six

30 September 2023 , 18:03

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The scene at the Beyhose Mine (Image: https://www.thezimbabwean.co/2023/09/21-miners-feared-dead-following-the-collapse-of-beyhose-mine/)

Six workers have been confirmed dead and fears are fading for 15 others following the collapse of a mine in Zimbabwe.

Emergency responders are in a race against time to find the miners who are still trapped underground after a gold mine collapsed on Friday. State-run Zimbabwe Broadcasting Corporation quoted deputy mines minister Polite Kambamura as saying 34 miners had been caught in the collapse. It is estimated that 13 people managed to escape.

The rescue operation is taking place at Beyhose mine in the gold-rich town of Chegutu, about 100 kilometers west of the capital, Harare. Incidents of mine collapses, often involving artisanal miners, are rampant in the southern African country that is rich in gold, coal and diamonds.

The country of 15 million people also has Africa's largest reserves of lithium, a mineral in global demand due to its use in electric car batteries. Zimbabwe's mineral-rich national parks, abandoned mines, rivers and even towns are often swarmed with people, including young children, seeking to find valuable deposits - it is one of the few economic activities still going on in a country that has suffered industry closures, a currency crisis and rampant unemployment over the past two decades.

19:03Tim Hanlon

Large crowds pictured at the mine following the tragedy

Large crowds can be seen gathered at the collapsed mine in Chegutu where the bodies of workers are being lifted out following the tragedy.

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Six people are known to have died after more than 30 people were trapped inside the mine on Friday morning and while 13 managed to escape, there are reportedly 15 miners who are still underground and have not been able to be rescued.

Incidents of mine collapses, often involving artisanal miners, are rampant in the southern African country that is rich in gold, coal and diamonds.

Race against time to save 15 miners trapped underground after collapse kills six

(Anadolu Agency via Getty Images)

15:36Tim Hanlon

Three bodies have now been recovered from the mine

Three bodies have been taken from the collapsed Beyhose Mine as the rescue continue for the people trapped inside.

Mines Deputy Minister Polite Kambamura has confirmed that the three bodies were retrieved from the mine in in Chegutu. They were found underneath some rocks in a search operation being undertaken by rescue teams with the support of some miners.

It is believed that 21 miners have been buried under rubble in the mine whose shaft collapsed yesterday. Sadly incidents of mine collapses, often involving artisanal miners, is common in the country.

14:57Chiara Fiorillo

Cause of collapse not known

It is not clear what caused the collapse, according to local reports. Emergency services are continuing their efforts to reach those who remain underground are ongoing, television channel ZBC reported.

Critics blame economic mismanagement and corruption for the collapse of a once-thriving economy and one of Africa’s bright spots. The government points to two decades of sanctions imposed by the United States over allegations of human rights violations.

14:54Chiara Fiorillo