Nine men tragically lost their lives in a devastating incident at a quarry in Zambia. The unfortunate event occurred when a large pile of gravel collapsed on the workers as they were loading gravel onto a truck. The men were operating illegally in the quarry located in Chongwe, approximately 50 kilometers east of the capital, Lusaka.
Authorities reported that the collapse took place on a Sunday, leading to the burial of the men and the truck under the gravel. Despite the rescue efforts, eight bodies were recovered on the same day before the operation was halted due to nightfall. The following day, a ninth body was retrieved from the site.
The driver of the truck, who survived the incident, sustained injuries and was promptly taken to the hospital for medical treatment. Chongwe District Commissioner Evans Lupiya confirmed that an investigation has been initiated by the police to determine the circumstances surrounding the tragic event.
This is not the first time Zambia has witnessed fatal accidents in quarries or mines involving individuals operating illegally. In a similar incident in December, nearly 30 informal miners lost their lives at an open-pit copper mine in the northern region of the country. Landslides triggered by heavy trains resulted in the miners being buried alive inside tunnels.
Such incidents highlight the dangers faced by individuals working in unauthorized and hazardous environments. The authorities are working to address safety concerns and prevent future tragedies in the mining and quarrying sectors.
Our thoughts are with the families and loved ones of the victims during this difficult time.
Source: AP Africa news
