A tragic mine accident has occurred at Green Mountain Tailing Dam 52 in Kitwe, claiming the lives of five illegal miners.
The incident took place around 14:30 hours today, 21st September 2024, when the dam collapsed, burying the miners under a large amount of soil.
Emergency response teams swiftly retrieved the bodies, which have been deposited into the Kitwe Teaching Hospital Mortuary.
Copperbelt Police Commanding Officer, Peacewell Mweemba has confirmed the incident and that following panic among sympathizers, the situation is now under control.
Mr. Mweemba says investigations are underway to determine the cause of the collapse of the mineral tailing.
Historically, Kitwe has had a share of mine accidents mostly involving illegal miners that ‘scavenge’ on previously disused mineral sites.
By Lovemore Sondashi