A desperate rescue operation is underway in eastern Zimbabwe after a mineshaft collapsed on Thursday morning, trapping more than 10 miners underground.

The incident occurred at Redwing Mine, located roughly 265 kilometers east of the capital Harare, in Manicaland Province.

Acting Minister of Local Government and Public Works July Moyo confirmed the tragedy in a statement issued on Friday and shared with the media on Saturday. He assured the public that the government, through civil protection structures, is actively engaged in search and rescue operations.

"In responding to this unfortunate accident, the government has immediately activated civil protection structures to deal with the critical matter of search and rescue at the mine," Moyo stated. "The Ministry of Mines and Mining Development is leading a team of experts, including from Metallon Gold and Freda Rebecca Gold Mine of Bindura."

Moyo also took the opportunity to urge all mining operators in Zimbabwe to prioritize responsible mining practices to minimize the risk of accidents and fatalities.

Metallon Corporation, the owner of Redwing Mine, issued a statement shortly after the incident, attributing the cause to potential earth tremors. They acknowledged that unstable ground conditions initially hampered rescue efforts.

Unfortunately, mine collapses involving artisanal gold miners are not uncommon in Zimbabwe, a country rich in gold deposits. The desperation for economic opportunities often drives individuals to work in unsafe conditions, leading to these devastating incidents.

As rescue efforts continue at Redwing Mine, the hope remains that the trapped miners can be brought to safety. This tragedy serves as a stark reminder of the importance of prioritizing safety measures and responsible mining practices to prevent similar incidents from occurring in the future. (ILKHA)