Tanzania: 22 People Missing, 3 Rescued as Gold Mine Collapses
- The Wachapakazi Gold Mine collapsed while 25 gold miners were inside, carrying out maintenance work
- Rescue operations are ongoing to rescue the 22 who are still trapped in the gold mine after three were rescued
- Tanzanian president Samia Suluhu reacted to the incident by issuing instructions to the prime minister's office and the country's security agencies
Faith Chandianya, a journalist at TUKO.co.ke, brings over three years of experience covering politics and Current Affairs in Kenya
Tanzania: Three miners have been rescued, while 22 others have been reported missing after a gold mine collapsed in the Shinyanga region.
Source: Getty Images
The local authorities confirmed the incident, stating that the tragic incident happened during maintenance work on the mining shafts at the Wachapakazi Gold Mine.
Who owns Wachapakazi gold mine?
Speaking to the East African, the Shinyanga district commissioner, Julius Mtatiro, said that the mine is owned by a group of young people.
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He further stated that rescue operations commenced, led by the country's security agencies, began in a bid to locate the remaining technicians who were trapped at the mining site.
"Rescue operations led by defence and security forces are ongoing to locate the remaining 22 technicians trapped under the rubble," Mtatiro said via phone call.
The authorities rescued the survivors after 32 hours of the rescue operations. He added that mining operations had been previously suspended over safety concerns.
Did Samia Suluhu respond to accident?
Following the tragic incident, Tanzanian president Samia Suluhu responded, stating that she was saddened by the news.
"I have received with great sadness the news of the disaster that occurred at the Nyandolwa Mine, Mwenge Ward, Shinyanga Region, where 25 of our brothers working in the mine were buried under rubble," Suluhu's statement read in part.
She highlighted that she has issued a directive to the prime minister's office and the defence to send assistance for the ongoing rescue operations.
"I have directed the Prime Minister's Office and the defence and security agencies to send immediate aid and collaborate with the Fire and Rescue Service to expedite the ongoing rescue operation. Let us continue to pray to God to grant a speedy recovery to the injured, and also to give patience and strength to the brothers, relatives and friends of all those affected by this disaster," she added.
Gold mine collapses in West Pokot
This came a month after a similar incident happened in Kenya's West Pokot. On Sunday, June 15, the Kambi Karaya goldmine collapsed.
One person was confirmed dead, while several others were trapped inside the gold mine. A rescue operation was immediately launched, but was halted and resumed again on Monday, June 16.
Source: Original
Eyewitnesses said that the goldmine collapsed at around 3:30 pm. A team from the Kenya Red Cross and West Pokot county were deployed to assist with rescue operations.
One local blamed the incident on the miners not being skilled enough.
Pokot Central deputy county commissioner Jeremiah Tumor, confirmed the incident, stating that rescue operations had started.
Source: TUKO.co.ke
