In a heart-wrenching incident that has shaken the local community, nine men lost their lives when a massive pile of gravel collapsed on them at a quarry in Zambia. The tragedy unfolded in Chongwe, not far from the nation’s capital, Lusaka.
The victims were reportedly working without proper authorization, loading gravel onto a truck when disaster struck. In a cruel twist of fate, the truck driver managed to survive the collapse but sustained injuries requiring hospitalization.
As news of the accident spread, rescue efforts swung into action. Eight bodies were recovered on the day of the incident before darkness forced a suspension of operations. The grim task resumed the following day, with the recovery of the ninth victim bringing the devastating toll to its final count.
This latest incident has reignited concerns about safety in Zambia’s informal mining and quarrying sector. It’s not the first time the country has faced such a tragedy, with a similar disaster claiming nearly 30 lives at a copper mine just months ago.
As authorities launch an investigation into the circumstances surrounding this latest accident, questions linger about how to balance economic necessity with worker safety in Zambia’s resource-rich landscape. The loss of these nine lives serves as a stark reminder of the dangers lurking in unregulated work environments and the urgent need for improved safety measures.