Nine Killed in Quarry Collapse in Zambia’s Chongwe District

Nine men lost their lives when a large pile of gravel collapsed on them while they were working in a quarry in Zambia’s Chongwe district, approximately 50 kilometers east of the capital, Lusaka. The tragic incident occurred on Sunday, with police confirming the details on Monday.

The men were operating illegally in the quarry, loading gravel onto a truck when the collapse occurred. Police spokesperson Rae Hamoonga reported that the driver of the truck survived the incident with injuries and was taken to the hospital for treatment.

Rescue teams recovered eight bodies on Sunday before suspending operations due to nightfall. The search resumed on Monday, leading to the recovery of the ninth body. Chongwe District Commissioner Evans Lupiya noted that the men and the truck were completely buried under the gravel. Police have since launched an investigation into the incident.

This tragedy is the latest in a series of fatal accidents in Zambia involving illegal quarry or mining operations. In December, nearly 30 informal miners died in the northern part of the country when landslides, triggered by heavy trains, buried them alive inside tunnels at an open-pit copper mine. These incidents highlight the ongoing risks faced by those engaging in unauthorized mining activities in the region.

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