Rescue workers in Zambia are clinging to hope after hearing voices from one of the tunnels where at least 25 informal miners are believed to be buried alive following a mudslide at an open-pit copper mine four days ago.
The tragedy unfolded on Thursday night at the Seseli Mine in Chingola, approximately 400 kilometers northwest of the capital Lusaka. Heavy rains caused a mudslide, trapping the miners in three separate locations within the pit.
While the exact number of miners trapped remains unclear, Mines Minister Paul Kabuswe confirmed that 25 families have reported missing relatives who were working at the mine at the time of the incident.
The rescue operation, launched early Friday morning, has been progressing cautiously due to the precarious conditions of the soft ground. Military personnel and representatives from large-scale mining companies are diligently working alongside local volunteers, including informal miner Wiva Chanda, who reported hearing voices coming from one of the tunnels on Monday.
This glimmer of hope provided a much-needed boost to the rescue efforts, raising the possibility of finding survivors. However, Chanda warned that the operation may also uncover fatalities.
Informal mining is a widespread practice in Zambia, with many artisanal miners working in dangerous conditions without proper safety protocols. This tragedy highlights the need for improved safety regulations and increased support for informal miners to ensure their protection and well-being.
The rescue team remains determined to locate the trapped miners and bring them to safety as quickly as possible. This story will be updated with further developments as they become available.
Source: Aljazeera and other Internet sources.