Four killed, 12 injured in illegal mine collapse in Monapo, Mozambique

At least four people died and 12 were injured when an illegal mine shaft collapsed on Wednesday evening in Monapo district, in Mozambique’s northern Nampula province. Monapo district administrator Emalo Impissa confirmed the deaths in an interview with Radio Mozambique, stating that the men had been mining for gold.

Impissa said the collapse occurred when the shaft was about five meters deep. He noted that authorities could not determine how many illegal miners were present, adding, “We couldn’t find out how many illegal miners were digging there, but we rescued 12 and took them to the health center”.

The injured were taken to the Carapira Health Centre, and the most seriously injured were transferred to the Monapo District Hospital. Four miners with minor injuries were discharged, while eight remained in hospital, where their condition was said to be stable.

A multi-sector team was dispatched to investigate the circumstances of the collapse. The district government ordered the closure of the mine as a public safety measure. “We told our forces to close the mine,” Impissa said. “First, it’s an illegal mine, with no authorization to operate, and while the safety situation is not established, we shall keep it closed”. He added that the authorities are urging informal miners to form an association to mine legally, stating, “That’s the work that’s going on right now”.