8 Killed in Zambia Mine Collapse

A tragic mine collapse in Zambia on Sunday morning has resulted in the deaths of eight individuals, according to police reports.

The incident occurred approximately 45 kilometers east of Lusaka, near Chongwe.

Police confirmed that the collapse at the gravel mine led to fatalities, with rescue teams working tirelessly throughout the day to recover an unspecified number of individuals who were carrying gravel at the time of the disaster.

Rescue operations, which were halted in the evening due to "difficult conditions" at the site, are expected to resume at dawn on Monday.

In addition to emergency responders, firefighters have been deployed, and a specialized excavator has been hired to aid in the rescue efforts.

Zambia is known for its extensive mining regions and has experienced recurrent deadly accidents. 

In December 2023, about 30 miners lost their lives in a copper mine collapse in the northern part of the country, triggered by a mudslide caused by heavy rainfall.