Africa-Press – Zimbabwe. 5 Illegal gold panners were reportedly trapped when a shaft they were working in collapsed at Elvington Mine near Chegutu yesterday morning, The Herald reports.
The development was confirmed by Mashonaland West Development Coordinator and Civil Protection Unit Provincial head Mr. Josphat Jaji who yesterday told the publication that:
We received a report from the Ministry of Mines officials that at least five illegal miners have been trapped.
Inspectors are on the ground and have indicated that one is confirmed to be alive and his leg is trapped.
The (Chegutu) district civil protection has been activated. Zimplats and Pickstone mines have been also been contacted to assist in the effort to remove the trapped miners,
According to ZBC News, one body has been retrieved so far and one person is said to be alive but his leg is said to be trapped under a rock.
This comes a few months after 5 illegal miners were trapped at Task Mine in Chegutu and rescue effort failing to rescue them until it was too late. Similar incidences have occurred in Bindura where over 20 miners were trapped underground and in Gwanda where illegal miners were also trapped underground last year.
More: The Herald
