News / National
Zim govt sorry to SA mine disaster victims
01 Mar 2014 at 15:08hrs | Views
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has conveyed condolences to the families of Zimbabwean illegal gold miners who perished in the Benoni mine disaster in South Africa and has applauded efforts by various stakeholders in rescuing those trapped underground.
Over 20 illegal gold miners most of whom are Zimbabweans have died after being tapped in an abandoned mine shaft in Benoni, on the East Rand.
The Zimbabwean government says it will cooperate with South African authorities to ensure that those still trapped are rescued.
Foreign Affairs Deputy Minister, Christopher Mutsvangwa saluted other Zimbabweans who made efforts to rescue the trapped miners and retrieve bodies of those who died.
He said the government will continue to work closely with South African authorities to ensure that those still trapped are rescued.
"As government, we are disturbed by the news coming from South Africa. It is a disaster and we are together with the families of those trapped and we will work closely with the South African government to ensure that those still trapped are brought to the surface," said Mutsvangwa.
According to reports from South Africa, rescue teams have in the past few days raised concern that their staff were at risk of inhaling dangerous gases which have killed illegal miners.
The illegal gold miners are understood to have been trapped in the mine outside Benoni in an industrial area known as East Rand and were discovered after emergency services staff heard screaming sounds while conducting a routine drill in the area.
Over 20 illegal gold miners most of whom are Zimbabweans have died after being tapped in an abandoned mine shaft in Benoni, on the East Rand.
The Zimbabwean government says it will cooperate with South African authorities to ensure that those still trapped are rescued.
Foreign Affairs Deputy Minister, Christopher Mutsvangwa saluted other Zimbabweans who made efforts to rescue the trapped miners and retrieve bodies of those who died.
"As government, we are disturbed by the news coming from South Africa. It is a disaster and we are together with the families of those trapped and we will work closely with the South African government to ensure that those still trapped are brought to the surface," said Mutsvangwa.
According to reports from South Africa, rescue teams have in the past few days raised concern that their staff were at risk of inhaling dangerous gases which have killed illegal miners.
The illegal gold miners are understood to have been trapped in the mine outside Benoni in an industrial area known as East Rand and were discovered after emergency services staff heard screaming sounds while conducting a routine drill in the area.
Source - zbc
