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THREE men died after inhaling poisonous gas emitted by a generator while pumping water out of a mine shaft in Fort Rixon, Insiza District.
Matabeleland Assistant Inspector Christopher Ngwenya identified the deceased as Jabulani Mpala from Number 2 Thorm Road in Riverside, Bulawayo, Elvis Masuku and Mavusani Sibanda from Chief Sikhobokhobo in Nkayi District.
Their ages were not given.
Asst Insp Ngwenya said the trio was working at Karoom 69 Fort Rixon Mine.
“The three men were using a generator powered water pump to pump water out of the gold mine shaft. Unfortunately the generator was emitting poisonous gas which they inhaled until they suffocated,” said Asst Insp Ngwenya.
He said the owner of the mine, Mr Stanley Mpala, went to the shaft and discovered that the three had died and called the police who attended to the scene. The police retrieved the bodies and they were taken to the United Bulawayo Hospitals for a post-mortem.
“Circumstances surrounding the incident are still under investigation. We urge all miners to put up safety measures as outlined by the industrial safety regulations,” said Asst Insp Ngwenya.
Bongani Ndlovu
Online Reporter