Online Reporter
Patrick Chitumba
HORROR struck Silobela this week after seven artisanal miners became trapped in a collapsed mine shaft following heavy rains on Tuesday afternoon.
The miners, working deep underground, were caught when the shaft suddenly gave way, leaving them stranded and unreachable.
Rescue teams have been battling against rising water and treacherous conditions to reach the trapped men. Provincial Mining Director, Engineer Khumbulani Mlangeni, confirmed the ongoing efforts.
“Rescue, search and retrieve efforts still ongoing as of early this morning. Rains are hampering progress,” Mlangeni said.
But hope is fading fast. Mrs Sithokozike Moyo, chairperson of the Silobela Small Scale Miners Association, revealed that attempts to reach the miners have so far been unsuccessful.
“A syndicate of seven artisanal miners was trapped inside a mine shaft on Tuesday following heavy rains. The seven miners were working in a mining shaft when it started raining heavily. Since Tuesday, rescue efforts have failed to retrieve them. We have been pumping out water trying to rescue them,” she said.
Police, the Ministry of Mines and Mining Development, and local mine operators have joined the rescue operation, working tirelessly despite the relentless downpour.
Residents in Silobela watched anxiously as heavy machinery and rescue teams battled the elements in a race against time.
