News / National
Miner saved after week-long underground ordeal
2 hrs ago |
73 Views
One miner was rescued alive after spending eight days trapped underground following a shaft collapse at Guernsey Gold Mine, while a second miner died during the rescue operation, officials and rescuers said on Friday.
The rescue mission, which began last week, was complicated by unstable ground conditions and heavy rainfall that intermittently halted operations.
Survivor Pardon Ruvengo was pulled out alive from the collapsed shaft on Friday morning and was receiving medical treatment following the ordeal.
Rescue workers said both miners had initially been found alive underground before one later succumbed.
"We worked very hard to rescue the two. Both miners were alive this morning, and we spoke to them underground. We think the other one was affected by too much air and died when the shaft was opened," rescue team member Beura Chachaya said.
Another rescuer, John Murire, said the miners had been trapped about 35 metres below ground.
"When I successfully got to the section of the shaft, there was one who was alive. The second one was already dead. The shaft is almost 35 metres down. The one who died was injured, and I think that contributed to his death," Murire said.
Mine manager Tichaona Karimanzira said rescue efforts had been hampered by difficult conditions underground and adverse weather.
"We started the rescue mission last Friday, but the ground was not stable. We were assisted by partners to rescue the two. Yesterday there was rain, and we temporarily stopped operations. Around 6am this morning, we heard one of the two calling for assistance. It was unfortunate that only one made it," he said.
The incident drew support from local mining companies and community members who assisted in the rescue operation.
"My father and Innocent's father were brothers. Despite one of the two failing to survive, I think there was a great effort to rescue them," community member Issac Mapanda Mhere said.
Mining accidents remain common in Zimbabwe, particularly at small-scale and informal gold mining operations where poor infrastructure, unsafe shafts and limited safety enforcement continue to pose risks to workers.
The rescue mission, which began last week, was complicated by unstable ground conditions and heavy rainfall that intermittently halted operations.
Survivor Pardon Ruvengo was pulled out alive from the collapsed shaft on Friday morning and was receiving medical treatment following the ordeal.
Rescue workers said both miners had initially been found alive underground before one later succumbed.
"We worked very hard to rescue the two. Both miners were alive this morning, and we spoke to them underground. We think the other one was affected by too much air and died when the shaft was opened," rescue team member Beura Chachaya said.
Another rescuer, John Murire, said the miners had been trapped about 35 metres below ground.
Mine manager Tichaona Karimanzira said rescue efforts had been hampered by difficult conditions underground and adverse weather.
"We started the rescue mission last Friday, but the ground was not stable. We were assisted by partners to rescue the two. Yesterday there was rain, and we temporarily stopped operations. Around 6am this morning, we heard one of the two calling for assistance. It was unfortunate that only one made it," he said.
The incident drew support from local mining companies and community members who assisted in the rescue operation.
"My father and Innocent's father were brothers. Despite one of the two failing to survive, I think there was a great effort to rescue them," community member Issac Mapanda Mhere said.
Mining accidents remain common in Zimbabwe, particularly at small-scale and informal gold mining operations where poor infrastructure, unsafe shafts and limited safety enforcement continue to pose risks to workers.
Source - ZBC
Join the discussion
Loading comments…
