Govt orders swift rescue of trapped miners

SHINYANGA: PRESIDENT Samia Suluhu Hassan has directed the Prime Minister’s Office to work closely with defence and security agencies to accelerate rescue efforts at Nyandolwa Gold Mine in Shinyanga Region, where 25 miners were trapped after a shaft collapse last week.

The President also ordered the immediate delivery of humanitarian assistance to victims of the incident, which occurred in Mwongozo Village, Mwenge Ward, during maintenance operations at several gold mining pits.

In a message posted on her social media handles yesterday, President Samia expressed deep sorrow over the tragedy.

“I have received with great sadness reports of the disaster at Nyandolwa Mine, where 25 of our fellow citizens were buried by debris,” she wrote. “Let us continue praying for the quick recovery of the injured and may the bereaved families find strength and comfort during this difficult time.”

Meanwhile, Regional authorities yesterday reported that at least four miners had been rescued, though one of them, 27-year-old Emanuel Kija, later died from his injuries.

Deputy Minister for Minerals Stephen Kiruswa confirmed the fatality during a visit to the site on Wednesday.

“We are working around the clock. We have established communication with the victims and they are still alive as of now. I have instructed that all essential first aid supplies, including oxygen machines, be brought to the site immediately,” said Mr Kiruswa.

Preliminary investigations indicate that the mining shafts were built too close to one another, requiring frequent repairs to prevent erosion and collapse.

The Deputy Minister has tasked mining experts and the Mining Commission with assessing the site’s safety and recommending measures for safer operations.

Shinyanga District Commissioner Julius Mtatiro explained that communication with the trapped miners was possible thanks to a local safety practice in which workers leave a phone number at the entrance before going underground.

He detailed that Shaft No 130 had six workers when the collapse occurred, where four have been rescued, including the late Kija. Shaft No 20 had eight miners, while the remainder were in Shaft No 103. “We are in constant contact with the rescue teams and progress is being made,” Mtatiro said. “We urge residents to remain calm as the operations continue in full force.”

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The three confirmed survivors so far are Furano Peter, Antony Clement and Nagula Japhet.

One of the mine owners, Fikiri Mnwagi, said the collapse happened while the shafts were undergoing rehabilitation, triggered by underground tremors that destabilised the ground, causing soil to collapse from the base upward.