Gravel mine collapse kills eight in Zambia
Africa
By
AFP
| Aug 26, 2024
Police said on Sunday morning, part of the pit caved in as a tipper truck was loading gravel trapping an unknown number of loaders. [AFP]
Eight bodies have been retrieved from a gravel mine that collapsed on Sunday in Zambia, police said, with more workers feared trapped under the debris.
On Sunday morning, part of the pit around 45 kilometres (28 miles) east of the capital Lusaka caved in as a tipper truck was loading gravel, "trapping an unknown number of male loaders," police said.
READ MORE
Leveraging PPPs to address Kenya's infrastructure crisis
Skyward Express launches Nairobi to Dar es Salaam flight
Scientists root for genome editing to boost food security
TVETs to get Sh49 million funding for tech training
Amsons' bid for Bamburi Cement gets Comesa approval
Co-op Bank third-quarter profit jumps to Sh19b on higher income
I am not about to retire, Equity's James Mwangi says
Report: Construction sector leads in mobile money use
Delayed projects leave Kenya's blue economy limping
Firms seek solutions in renewable energy to curb high cost of power
The truck driver, who was partially buried before being pulled out afterwards and hospitalised, estimated that there were at least nine men around his lorry at the time of the accident.
"Our rescue teams have been working tirelessly to recover those affected" police spokesman Rae Hamoonga said.
"However, due to the challenging conditions at the site, the rescue operation has been temporarily suspended for the day," Hamoonga added, with operations to resume Monday "at first light".
Zambia is home to many mines and fatal accidents are a frequent occurrence.
In December 2023, nearly 30 miners lost their lives when a copper mine in the north of the country collapsed following a mudslide caused by torrential rain.