By Jamillah Kemigisa
Three mining technicians have been pulled out alive while 22 others remain unaccounted for after a tragic collapse at the Wachapakazi Gold Mine in Tanzania’s northwestern Shinyanga region.
The incident occurred on Monday during routine maintenance work on the mine’s underground shafts. Authorities say the mine is owned and operated by a group of young local entrepreneurs.
Shinyanga District Commissioner Julius Mtatiro confirmed the update on Tuesday, noting that the three survivors were found after an intense 32-hour rescue effort. “Rescue operations led by the defense and security forces are still underway to locate the remaining 22 technicians trapped under the rubble,” Mtatiro said.
Officials revealed that the mine had previously been ordered to suspend operations following safety inspections by regional mining authorities. It is not yet clear why maintenance work was being carried out despite the earlier suspension.
Emergency teams, supported by heavy machinery and specialist mine rescue units, continue to work around the clock. Local leaders say the focus remains on finding survivors, though they acknowledge that time is critical.
The collapse has sparked renewed calls for stricter enforcement of mining safety standards in the region, where artisanal and small-scale mining remains a major economic activity but is often plagued by inadequate safety measures.
