Six informal gold miners have been confirmed dead, and more are feared trapped following a mine collapse in Zambia’s Mufumbwe district, officials said Wednesday.
Mufumbwe district commissioner Elijah Munyompe confirmed the fatalities, saying the collapse occurred while thousands of miners were digging for gold in the Kikonge area.
He said the deceased miners include three from Solwezi, one from Lusaka and one from Mufumbwe, while the identity of the sixth victim remains unknown.
Their bodies have been transported to the district hospital mortuary.
Rescue operations are ongoing, with authorities fearing that more miners may still be buried beneath the rubble.
Mining accidents remain a serious concern in Zambia where informal mining activities often lack proper safety measures.
JN/APA