A landslide at the Ng’alita mine in Bariadi district, Simiyu region, resulted in the tragic death of twenty-two individuals, as reported by district commissioner Simon Simalenga.
The incident occurred on Saturday when a group engaged in mining activities in a restricted area due to heavy rains, according to Simalenga’s statement to Reuters news agency.
Upon learning of the incident, President Samia Suluhu Hassan expressed her profound sadness at the loss of lives.
“These fellow Tanzanians were small miners in the area, trying to earn a living for themselves, their families,” she said in a post on X, formerly known as Twitter.
Mr Simalenga said he was initially told that there were 19 to 20 people trapped in the mines, but that 22 bodies ended up being retrieved.
According to quotes attributed to Faustine Mtitu, the acting commander of the region’s fire and rescue forces, as reported by AFP news agency, the search has been concluded. Mtitu stated that he is “convinced that there are no more bodies trapped in the rubble.”
Mr. Simalenga mentioned that approximately three weeks ago, a group of individuals commenced mining activities in the mineral-rich area. Subsequently, the government implemented safety procedures in response. The area had been restricted due to persistent heavy rains, leading to flash floods.
“The regional mining officer visited them and stopped them from mining as it was working on the required procedures” Mr Simalenga said.
Unregulated and illegal mining is common in Tanzania, which is one of the largest gold producers in the world.