Two suspected illegal miners have died after a mine pit collapsed on them while allegedly conducting illegal mining activities in Lubwe Village, of Sinazongwe District, Southern Zambia.
The victims have been identified as 47-year-old Jasper Siamuwele of Chuunga Village and 48-year-old Arnold Munkombwe of Nkungwe B Compound in Maamba, both from Chief Mweemba’s area.
Southern Province Police Commanding Officer Moono Namalongo says the incident occurred on May 31, 2026, around 16:00 hours when the deceased, together with other unidentified individuals, were allegedly involved in illegal aquamarine mining activities in an open pit mine situated on the edge of a steep hill in Lubwe Village.
Mr. Namalongo says while the group was inside the pit, part of the mine walls suddenly collapsed, trapping the two men beneath the debris.
He says nearby community members later managed to retrieve the bodies from the collapsed pit.
Police say both victims sustained fatal injuries resulting from the collapse.
Their bodies were taken to Maamba General Hospital Mortuary for postmortem examination and burial arrangements.
The attached image is just for illustration purposes.
By Gabriel Josias Muuba
