At least 12 suspected illegal gold miners are feared dead after a mineshaft at Eldorado Mine in Chinhoyi collapsed on Monday evening.
Rescue efforts are underway with Government departments, including the Civil Protection Unit and the Red Cross Society of Zimbabwe having been activated.
Mashonaland West police spokesperson Inspector Clemence Mabgweazara confirmed the mishap which occurred around 10pm on Monday.
By yesterday evening, at least five miners who had been trapped managed to escape.
“We have received reports that a mine shaft collapsed at Eldorado Mine just outside Chinhoyi, allegedly trapping some artisanal miners,” said Insp Mabgweazara.
“When the police visited the scene of the mishap, five artisanal miners had managed to escape, indicating that at least 12 other miners could still be trapped.”
Of the five who escaped from the mine shaft, one had sustained serious head injuries and was taken to Chinhoyi Provincial Hospital for treatment.
Inspector Mabgweazara said no deaths had been confirmed so far and investigations were in progress.
The Mines Inspectorate has also been roped in to assist with investigations and was by yesterday afternoon mobilising earth moving and rescue equipment.
A source from the Mines Inspectorate said: “Mines Inspectorate has been on the ground since morning. We managed to interview two witnesses who allegedly survived the collapse and they indicated that there are about 12 people who were trapped underground.
“The figure can only be confirmed once we manage to get people underground. We are currently working on mobilising the requisite equipment and resources to be able to go down and retrieve the bodies.”
(By Walter Nyamukondiwa and Fortunate Gora)
