A devastating accident at a quarry in Zambia has resulted in the deaths of nine men, police spokesperson Rae Hamoonga reported on Monday. The tragedy occurred when a large pile of gravel collapsed on the workers, who were operating illegally in the quarry located in Chongwe, approximately 50 kilometers (31 miles) east of the capital, Lusaka.
The incident took place on Sunday as the men were loading gravel onto a truck. The driver of the vehicle survived with injuries and was transported to a hospital for treatment.
Rescue operations began immediately after the collapse, with eight bodies recovered on Sunday before nightfall forced a suspension of the efforts. The ninth body was retrieved on Monday morning, completing the grim recovery process.
Chongwe District Commissioner Evans Lupiya described the scene, stating that both the men and the truck were buried under the gravel. Police have launched an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the accident.
This tragic event underscores the persistent issue of illegal and unsafe mining practices in Zambia. The country has experienced several fatal accidents involving unauthorized operations in quarries and mines in recent years.
A particularly devastating incident occurred in December when nearly 30 informal miners lost their lives at an open-pit copper mine in northern Zambia. In that case, heavy rains triggered landslides that buried the miners alive in tunnels they had dug.
Credit: africanews.com
